Lithuania is among the top five EU member states that have supplied most of generators and transformers to Ukraine since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale war. According to data, provided by the European Commission, Lithuania is the fifth largest supplier of generators and second largest supplier of transformers, helping to restore Ukraine’s damaged energy infrastructure. Lithuania’s assistance includes two very large autotransformers, one of them capable to provide power for up to 200,000 households.
Relentless attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure by Russian forces result in extended power cuts for millions of people across Ukraine. Damage to energy infrastructure is increasing the challenges for civilians to face the winter season - disrupting essential services such as water, gas, and heating in Ukraine, particularly in frontline communities.
WHO reports that recent attacks on Ukrainian thermal power plants, which provide 29% of the country’s electricity and heat for cities, have severely impacted the capacities of health facilities to deliver adequate services.
Widespread destruction due to regular missile, drone and shelling attacks forces people to rely heavily on humanitarian aid and the support from volunteer groups to survive.
Since the start of Russian aggression in Ukraine, the EU has offered nearly 9000 power generators to Ukraine through the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM). The generators range from those small enough to power a single housing unit to larger models to power hospitals and other public services. Delivery of private donations is also facilitated through the UCPM in close coordination with civil protection authorities.
Lithuania has consistently contributed to the EU's joint efforts and is supporting Ukraine in rebuilding its energy infrastructure. Lithuania has committed over 72 million EUR in support for Ukraine’s energy sector, focusing on emergency repair equipment and long-term energy security solutions. Besides the equipment and tools needed to repair and rebuild the energy infrastructure (autotransformers, transformers, generators, valves, excitation devices, compressors, current converters, limiters, machine tools and other equipment), Lithuania has also been supporting decentralized energy generation via renewables, in particular solar energy solutions.
Since 2023, Lithuania, through the Ministry of Environment’s Climate Change Programme, allocated more than 2 million EUR. As for this support, Lithuania implemented energy support projects that included the installation of solar power systems in Odesa, which will cover a significant portion of the energy needs of local hospitals and schools.
In 2024 Lithuanian government has allocated an additional 5 million EUR to build autonomous solar power plants to ensure resilience of Ukrainian public buildings. The programme will equip the facilities identified by Ukrainian institutions with solar modules, intervers and storage enabling off-grid functioning.