EC plans to accelerate Ukraine power grid synchronization after Russia split

The European Commission plans to accelerate the synchronization of Ukraine's electricity grid to the Entso-e European network, EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson said Feb. 27.

Ukraine's transmission system operator, Ukrenergo, disconnected Feb. 24 from the Russian and Belarusian systems for a scheduled 48-hour test ahead of a planned synchronization with the Entso-e European grid in 2023.

"I will ask from Entso-e and the member states tomorrow for their support for the emergency synchronization as quickly as possible," Simson said Feb. 27 in a tweet.

Meanwhile, EU energy ministers are to hold an emergency meeting Feb. 28 to discuss implications of the crisis in Ukraine in terms of security, supply and energy prices, as well as possible areas for action.

A faster connection for Ukraine's grid would also be discussed, Simson said.

"Hopefully the technical work towards synchronization with Continental Europe can continue unaffected by the Russian attack," she said.

For now, Ukraine's power system remains in island mode, with connection only to Moldova.