Canada is among world nations calling for assistance for Ukraine’s besieged energy grid, which is projected to need €630 million (CAD $1 billion) worth of repairs and troubleshooting ahead of the coming winter season. A joint Canada-European Union communique, issued in conjunction with the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Paris last week, praises efforts thus far to keep the electricity system functioning, but underscores that there is still a “significant gap” in the funds required to restore and stabilize infrastructure.

“The European Union and Canada reaffirm our steadfast commitment to supporting Ukraine in establishing a resilient, decentralized and green energy system, aligned with European standards and climate neutrality objectives, and closely integrated with the EU,” the communique states.

As co-chairs of the G7 & Ukraine Energy Coordination Group, Canada and the EU are working to mobilize funding and technical expertise. That’s occurring through the Ukraine Donor Platform, established in 2023 to coordinate resources for immediate needs and eventual reconstruction.

In the short term, funds are urgently needed to patch and maintain energy infrastructure, and augment precarious supply with low-capital generation from renewable sources. Eventually, more comprehensive fixes and rebuilding will be part of the estimated €430 billion (CAD $684 billion) price tag for post-war reconstruction.

“The co-chairs reaffirm an unwavering commitment to supporting emergency repairs, fast-tracking deployment of distributed generation, physical protection and scaling-up of renewable energy. These efforts are firmly rooted in the idea that an energy system that is more resilient to Russian attacks and guarantees Ukraine’s energy independence will necessarily entail maximizing energy efficiency, along with a vast expansion of Ukraine’s renewable electricity generation,” the communique states.