Commission delivers thermal power plant to supply power for 1 million Ukrainians

The European Commission has successfully relocated a full thermal power plant from Lithuania to Ukraine, completing its largest-ever coordinated logistical operation to date.

This unprecedented transfer restores critical energy capacity and directly reinforces Ukraine's national grid following sustained Russian attacks on its infrastructure. The equipment has been crucial to completing emergency repairs in several parts of the country where energy infrastructure was severely damaged. It is capable of supplying power to approximately 1 million Ukrainians.

The complex operation, carried out over 11 months, involved 149 shipments totalling 2,399 tonnes of equipment. Among these, 40 were oversized shipments, including exceptionally heavy transformers and stators weighing around 172 tonnes each. The support of the Polish Governmental Agency for Strategic Reserves was instrumental in ensuring the complex transport of these components.

Comprehensive support for Ukraine's energy needs

This landmark operation is part of the EU's comprehensive response to Russia's aggression against Ukraine since February 2022, coordinated through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) .

To date, EUsupport for Ukraine's energy sector has helped meet the needs of an estimated 9 million people, including the delivery of 9,500 power generators and 7,200 transformers via the Mechanism.

In total, the Commission has allocated over €1,2 billion for humanitarian aid programmes in Ukraine, and delivered over 160,000 tonnes of aid.

All 27 EU countries together with 6 participating states (Norway, Türkiye, North Macedonia, Iceland, Serbia and Moldova), have offered in-kind assistance to Ukraine through the UCPM. The EU has also coordinated the medical evacuation of over 4,700 Ukrainian patients to hospitals in 22 countries for specialised treatment.

Commissioner for Preparedness and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, said:

'The delivery of this power plant is European solidarity in action, and our most demanding logistical operation to date. I thank Lithuania, Poland, Romania and all partners who ensured the success of this colossal operation. It is a powerful demonstration of the EU's unwavering commitment to Ukraine's resilience, helping ensure light and heat for one million people as they face a fourth winter of Russia's war of aggression.'

When emergencies occur, national authorities can activate the EU Civil Protection Mechanism to request coordinated assistance. The mechanism brings together all EU Member States and ten participating states.

The EU manages these requests for assistance through its Emergency Response Coordination Centre. This crisis hub monitors events around the globe 24/7 and ensures rapid deployment of emergency support to disaster-stricken countries, including relief items, expertise, civil protection teams and specialised equipment.