The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine and its long-term strategic partner, the Government of Japan, jointly announced the delivery of essential energy equipment to Kharkiv and Odessa.
Kharkiv will receive 15 frequency-controlled drives (FCDs) and a gas turbine with a capacity of 16 MW, equipment that is crucial for the city's infrastructure. The FCDs will help water supply companies provide a reliable and cost-effective water supply system with reduced risk of service interruptions. The gas turbine will ensure uninterrupted heat supply to Kharkiv through an autonomous energy source.
In Odessa, two gas-piston cogeneration units, each with a capacity of 3.3 MW, will be installed. These units, along with two previously delivered, will increase the total generating capacity of Odessa to 13.2 MW. This will cover approximately 50% of the energy needs of the city's critical infrastructure to provide water, heating, and sewage services.
Additionally, with the support of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), 32 generators with a total capacity of 28 MW will be delivered to the municipal enterprise "Kharkivvodokanal" to ensure stable energy supply for continuous water provision, even in case of disruptions in the national power grid.
The announcement about the equipment delivery was made during the visit of the newly appointed Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yoshimasa Hayashi, to Kyiv on November 16, 2024.
Since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion, Japan has provided Ukraine with 12 shipments of assistance for energy workers.
On November 17, Ukrainian energy workers restored power to some consumers in Odessa region, who had been left without electricity due to Russian shelling.
The Mayor of Odesa, Hennadiy Trukhanov, noted that despite challenging conditions and ongoing attacks, Odessa is determined to build its own independent energy system and needs continued support: “We are deeply grateful to Japan and our sister city Yokohama, which was the first to stand by us, to the UNDP team, and to all the countries that have joined us in this effort. Together, we are laying the foundation for our resilience, ensuring that Odessa can continue to thrive, work, and strengthen connections. This, in turn, will bolster Ukraine’s economy and contribute to the global economy of the civilized world, ultimately reinforcing the power of democracy.”
Ihor Terekhov, the Mayor of Kharkiv, emphasized the vital role of international support: "Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Kharkiv has faced unimaginable challenges—relentless shelling, the destruction of critical infrastructure, and constant threats to the lives of our residents. We deeply appreciate the unwavering support of the Government of Japan, UNDP, and JICA, who stand with us during these critical times and remain steadfast in their commitment to helping our community.”
Background: Between 22 March and 31 August 2024, Russia launched nine waves of targeted attacks on Ukraine’s electric power system, damaging or destroying numerous power generation, transmission, and distribution facilities. Between these months, Ukraine lost an additional 9GW of generating capacity.
