DTEK Group, the largest private investor in Ukraine's energy sector, and SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC, a global leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, today announced a memorandum of understanding to bring innovative energy solutions to Ukraine, focusing on smart infrastructure, grid modernisation, digitisation, and industry solutions.
The partnership outlines a comprehensive framework for close cooperation to identify and implement projects that will enhance energy efficiency, ensure reliability of supply, and promote sustainable energy use across Ukraine.
The memorandum was signed by Maxim Timchenko, DTEK CEO and Mykhaylo Bubnov, CEO of Schneider Electric Ukraine on the eve of the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Berlin, alongside Pierre Heilbronn, Special Envoy of the French President for Ukraine's relief and reconstruction and Stefan Gierse, Zone President DACH at Schneider Electric.
Maxim Timchenko, CEO of DTEK said: "Schneider Electric has been our trustworthy partner over two difficult years for Ukraine and the Ukrainian energy industry. Today, this partnership is a significant step forward in our mission to transform the energy landscape of Ukraine. By combining our resources and expertise, we are poised to implement cutting-edge solutions that will not only meet the immediate needs of our energy sector but also ensure its resilience and sustainability in the future."
Mykhaylo Bubnov, CEO of Schneider Electric Ukraine commented: “Schneider Electric understands the specific needs of the Ukrainian energy sector and has profound expertise in technologies and practices that can enhance energy efficiency and sustainability. We have a long-term business relationship with DTEK. Our cooperation especially intensified after the outbreak of a full-scale war in Ukraine, when we transferred electrical equipment for the rapid restoration of damaged critical infrastructure facilities. Now, like 2 years ago, we understand the importance of supporting the Ukrainian energy system, coordinated cooperation, and quick coordinated actions. We look forward to sharing our extensive knowledge and solutions with DTEK."
Schneider Electric was one of the first companies to answer DTEK’s call for help after russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. Within weeks, Schneider Electric was rushing electrical equipment to the areas that needed rapid restoration. In total it donated 43,000 pieces of emergency equipment worth 4 million euros (equal to 150 million hryvnas). Donations included a range of medium and low voltage equipment such as frequency converters, circuit breakers, and digital solutions to facilitate the repair, maintenance and remote monitoring of critical energy infrastructure across the grid. Today’s memorandum deepens this unique and enduring bond, forged in the toughest of circumstances.
In the light of the current critical situation facing Ukraine’s energy system, the parties will focus on cooperation in the following areas:
- Collaborative initiatives and information sharing that identify, apply, and promote effective measures and solutions to implement pilot projects in the energy sector.
- Meeting DTEK’s immediate needs to fast-track restoration and maximise DTEK’s energy generation capabilities.
- Developing and implementing battery storage assets, in and outside Ukraine, to create a more dispersed and resilient energy grid.
- Modernising Ukraine’s electricity grid to enhance reliability of supply, minimise energy losses and create a more flexible, future-proof network.
- Developing and implementing pilot/demo projects that test innovative solutions with the ultimate aim of creating a more energy efficient energy sector.
- Identifying potential project financing solutions alongside European export credit agencies (ECAs) and other international financial institutions.