Rapid development of renewable energy in Ukraine: perspectives and challenges. Interview with DTEK Renewables CEO Maris Kunickis.

Matthew Farmer from Power Technology speaks to DTEK Renewables CEO Maris Kunickis, who says an instrument of the Ukrainian Government has discriminated against his company.

Ukraine aims to generate at least 25% of its power from renewable sources by 2035. However, even years before, its renewable power payment system could not keep up with the pace of change.

In 2018, renewables generated 5% of Ukraine’s energy. In 2019, this jumped up to 9%. DTEK Renewables CEO Maris Kunickis considers 2019 to be a boom time in Ukrainian renewables. DTEK Renewables operates 1GW of renewable capacity in the country with 0.5GW currently under construction.

“2019 was the first year when we saw huge, tremendous growth in renewables,” said Kunickis. “In that year, Ukraine’s installed renewable capacity rose from 3GW to 6.3GW. In one year capacity doubled, and the support system wasn’t prepared for it.”

"In 2020, we received just 5% of due payments by the middle of the year. After this, we and the energy community talked to the government to seek a better deal together", said Kunickis.

The government promised to cover its historical debts, but it would also lower feed-in tariff returns. This decision brought tariffs down significantly.

“We agreed to this, then immediately after the new law was submitted, we saw reduced returns in our tariffs. But the government has still not fulfilled their obligations to us,” said DTEK Renewables CEO.

In the interview for Power Technology magazine Maris Kunickis also spoke about the risks and advantages of investing in the Ukrainian renewable sector.

Read the interview in full here

*The original source