Emergency synchronization of Ukraine grid 'days away': Simson

The emergency synchronization of the Ukraine power grid with continental Europe could be achieved within a few days, EC Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson said March 14.

Ukraine's high-voltage transmission system disconnected from the Russian and Belarus grids on Feb. 24 and has been operating in isolated mode since.

"European network operators [Entso-e] completed work on the technical conditions for the connection last Friday [March 11] and hope an emergency interconnection can be implemented in the coming days," Simson told delegates at Chatham House's Energy Transition 2022 event in London.

Attacks continued on all types of energy infrastructure in Ukraine, including electricity grids, gas compressor stations and distribution networks, Simson said.

"This is inflicting serious hardship on the population and increasing safety risks. Our priority is to support the functioning of Ukraine's energy system and ensure electricity flows and mobility remain possible," she said.

A mechanism was now in place for the delivery of fuels and specialized energy equipment to Ukraine "and we are setting up an extraordinary effort to secure gas and coal supplies, with reverse flows of gas from Slovakia and Hungary supported by Eur1.2 billion of financial assistance," she said.

On this front, the EC was "advancing quickly" a mechanism with the EIB and the EBRD to de-risk commercial negotiations with Ukraine, she said.

"The Ukraine conflict is a moment of awakening for European energy policy. Our plan, REPowerEU, diversifies away from Russian fossil fuels, massively invests in renewables and boosts energy efficiency," she said.

Russia provides over 40% of Europe's imported gas, 27% of its oil imports and 46% of coal imports. The plan aimed to phase out this reliance "well before 2030," she said.

In the short term diversified LNG imports would help but driving renewables was the key medium term goal.

"In Q3 last year renewables exceeded fossil fuels in the European generation mix [37% renewables, 35% fossil fuels]. Now we need further steps -- to simplify permitting; promote take up of power purchase agreements; and create a European solar supply chain," Simson said.

The EC would come forward with accelerated permitting proposals this spring, while by mid-May it would propose ways to optimize electricity market design building on a report from European regulators group ACER, "so our framework better supports the green transition," she said.