Vattenfall and Ukraine’s state-owned hydropower company, Ukrhydroenergo, have launched a long-term knowledge exchange on the role of hydropower in future energy systems. Through the collaboration, Swedish and Ukrainian specialists are sharing knowledge on flexibility, energy security and resilience.
The collaboration was launched on Monday 19 October at Vattenfall’s head quarters in Solna, north of Stockholm. Among those present were Ukraine’s Ambassador to Sweden, Svitlana Zalischuk, together with representatives from Vattenfall, Ukrhydroenergo, Svenska kraftnät, Sweden’s national transmission system operator, and Beredskapslyftet, a Swedish initiative that brings together organisations to strengthen societal resilience and support cooperation with Ukraine. The programme was opened by Anna Borg, President and CEO of Vattenfall, who highlighted the importance of international cooperation in building robust and resilient energy systems.
During the opening session, several speakers reiterated the crucial importance of energy systems to society. Ukraine’s Ambassador to Sweden, Svitlana Zalishchuk, described the central importance of the energy issue for Ukraine’s defence capability, reconstruction and future development. Another recurring theme throughout the week was that the challenges facing energy systems do not stop at national borders, making international cooperation increasingly important.
A broader programme for knowledge exchange
This exchange of experience forms part of ‘Hydropower in Transition’, a long-term programme for knowledge exchange between Swedish and Ukrainian specialists in hydropower. The focus is on the role of hydropower in future energy systems, the safe operation of hydropower plants and energy security.
The initiative is being implemented by Vattenfall and Ukrhydroenergo in collaboration with several Swedish partners. Svenska kraftnät is contributing expertise on power systems, dam safety and system stability, whilst Beredskapslyftet plays a key role in facilitating the collaboration and establishing contacts between Swedish and Ukrainian stakeholders.
Experience that few others can draw on
For Ukrhydroenergo, the collaboration is about more than just a knowledge exchange. Despite years of attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, the company continues to develop its operations and plan for the future.
“We want to show that we are still here. Despite everything that has happened, we are continuing our work, whilst at the same time seeking to draw on new perspectives and experiences that can help us move forward,” says Bogdan Sukhetskyi, Director General of Ukrhydroenergo.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the country’s energy infrastructure has been subjected to extensive attacks. During the opening session, Bogdan Sukhetskyi described how Ukrhydroenergo’s facilities have been attacked more than 250 times, while the organisation continued to supply electricity, maintain facilities and repair damage.
According to him, one of the most important lessons learned from the challenges of recent years is not primarily about technology.
“Our greatest asset is our people. Infrastructure can be repaired and rebuilt, but it is just as important to safeguard people, expertise and relationships, both within the organisation and in the wider community around us,” says Bogdan Sukhetskyi.
Knowledge flows both ways
For Vattenfall, collaboration is about combining experiences from different parts of Europe and creating mutual learning regarding the development of hydropower.
“Energy systems are becoming increasingly interconnected, and the challenges we face do not stop at national borders. To build robust energy systems, we need to learn from one another and share experiences across borders. That is why this collaboration is so valuable,” says Johan Dasht, Head of Business Area Generation.
The programme covers, amongst other things, the changing role of hydropower in the energy system, safe and reliable operations, energy security, leadership, and ways to make critical infrastructure more resilient. Vattenfall is contributing its experience from the Swedish energy transition, where hydropower is playing an increasingly important role in balancing a power system with a growing share of weather-dependent electricity generation.
The growing importance of hydropower
Hydropower already plays a central role in both Sweden’s and Ukraine’s energy systems, even though the circumstances differ.
“Hydropower accounts for around ten per cent of electricity generation in Ukraine, but plays a crucial role in balancing and stabilising the energy system. That role will remain highly important in the future,” says Bogdan Sukhetskyi.
For Vattenfall’s Nordic hydropower operations, the programme offers an opportunity to exchange knowledge between two organisations working on many of the same challenges, but under completely different conditions.
“The greatest value of this programme is bringing together experts who work on the same issues but under completely different conditions. By sharing experiences in hydropower, dam safety and system operations, we gain new perspectives that strengthen both organisations,” says Lovisa Fricot Norén, Head of Vattenfall’s Nordic hydropower.
Long-term cooperation
The current exchange programme marks the first step in a broader knowledge-sharing initiative between Vattenfall and Ukrhydroenergo. The aim is to strengthen expertise in hydropower, develop relations between Swedish and Ukrainian experts, and contribute to the development of robust and resilient energy systems for the future.
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