Ukraine’s Largest Energy Company Pledges to Close All Coal Plants by 2035, Citing War Damage and Grid Needs

DTEK, Ukraine’s biggest energy company, published its first energy transition plan this week and committed to closing its entire fleet of coal-fired power plants while ending thermal coal production by 2035. The company also said it would increase investment in wind, solar, batteries and grids, Semafor reported.

It set a target of reducing its full-scope carbon footprint 90 percent below 2023 levels by 2050.

Chief Sustainability Officer Jeff Oatham told Semafor that the shift would improve resilience after four years of attacks on energy infrastructure. “Energy security and energy transition are not things that Ukraine has to choose between,” he said. Grid modernization alone will require at least $7 billion over the next decade, Oatham added.

He noted that attracting private capital remains difficult without guarantees from foreign governments.