On February 7, 2023, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) handed over a 28 MW mobile gas turbine power plant to the Government of Ukraine. The ceremony was attended by Minister of Energy of Ukraine German Galushchenko, USAID Deputy Administrator Isobel Coleman, U.S. Ambassador Bridget Brink, and heads of Ukrainian energy companies. This assistance will allow Ukraine to increase the supply of electricity to residential buildings, hospitals, schools, critical infrastructure, etc.
From the very beginning of the full-scale war against Ukraine, and especially since October 2022, the russian federation has been deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure, heat, electricity and gas supply facilities, in an attempt to turn winter into a weapon. Ukraine has demonstrated remarkable resilience in the face of such attacks, with utility workers regularly risking their lives to repair damage, often within hours of airstrikes.
Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, USAID has been working closely with the Government of Ukraine and energy sector companies to ensure the smooth operation of country’s electricity, gas, and heating networks. Today, the U.S. Government is donating a mobile gas turbine power plant to increase generating capacity of Ukraine’s power grid and provide critical infrastructure and civilians with light and heat during this difficult winter. USAID will continue to help Ukraine mitigate the effects of massive attacks on energy infrastructure and ensure that Ukraine’s people and businesses get through this winter and win.
This mobile power plant, manufactured in the United States by General Electric, is one example of USAID’s assistance to Ukraine’s energy sector since the start of the full-scale invasion by the Russian federation. USAID has already delivered more than 1,500 generators to 22 regions of Ukraine, with more assistance on the way. These generators provide power and heat to schools, hospitals, internally displaced persons (IDPs) centers, district heating companies, and water supply systems during power outages caused by Russian airstrikes.
USAID Deputy Administrator Isobel Coleman said that the U.S. Government was providing critical support to help Ukraine and Ukrainians get through the winter and win the war. USAID has provided the Government of Ukraine with this American-made mobile gas turbine power plant to help bring electricity to homes, hospitals, schools, and critical infrastructure. As the Russian federation continues to target infrastructure, this equipment will help strengthen Ukraine’s energy security. USAID will continue to provide its support to Ukraine so that it can win the war and achieve a lasting peace.
“Installation of this turbine will be the first practical step in implementing the Strategy of the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine on decentralization of the energy system and development of small-scale generation networks in our country. Now we will be able to provide more reliable generation, especially for the needs of critical and social infrastructure, and secure it, taking into account possible war challenges and risks,†said Minister of Energy of Ukraine German Galushchenko.
The Energy Minister thanked the American side for the numerous assistance that Ukraine had already received and continues to receive. “We are sincerely grateful to the American people and the American Government for their constant support in every aspect of this difficult war. Every day we receive crucial assistance, including equipment and materials to restore the country’s energy system,†added German Galushchenko.
To date, USAID has invested about USD 400 million in Ukraine’s heat supply infrastructure to help Ukrainians get through the winter. Up to 7 million Ukrainians will benefit from this assistance aimed at supporting the repair and maintenance of pipes and other equipment needed to heat homes, hospitals, schools, and businesses across Ukraine. This support builds on more than two decades of support to Ukraine in strengthening the country’s energy security.
The U.S. Government has responded to Russia’s brutal war against Ukraine by providing the Government of Ukraine with USD 13 billion in direct budgetary support to help maintain critical public services, such as paying salaries to first responders, meeting pension obligations to support vulnerable citizens, and maintaining hospitals. In addition, since February 2022, the U.S. Government has provided more than USD 1.9 billion in humanitarian aid to millions of people in Ukraine and neighboring countries.
