Transformation of Ukrainian energy system towards a sustainable future

Abstract

Ukraine has inherited a powerful and well-developed energy system from the USSR. However, it became dramatically inefficient. The lifetime of the majority of power plants has run out or will run out in the next several years. There is huge inefficiency in energy consumption among the population, which together with old heating systems cause enormous energy losses. The problem of corruption and unclear price and legal regulation in the energy field makes the process of investment attractions very complicated. That is why a full change in the energy system is absolutely vital for Ukraine. It is clear that the problem cannot be solved in one or even five years. The whole transformation process will take several decades, but the first steps have to be done today. One of the most important ones is to reduce energy inefficiency and improve the legislation in the energy field. The other, more significant measures have to be taken in the near future. The goals, which have to be achieved by these measures, are divided according to a short run and a long run perspective. By doing at least those actions, proposed in this thesis, Ukrainian energy system can be transformed from an old inefficient post-soviet condition to a sustainable and reliable system.