On 27 March, a delegation of high-ranking officials visited a site within the Ray of Hope (Promin Nadiyi) solar panel installation project, an initiative aimed at ensuring uninterrupted power supply to medical facilities across Ukraine.
The visit was led by Katarina Mathernová, EU Ambassador to Ukraine, Artur Lorkowski, Director of the Energy Community Secretariat, Herman Halushchenko, Energy Minister of Ukraine, and Ihor Kopach, Deputy Healthcare Minister of Ukraine.
The initiative was launched in 2023 by the European Commission, in cooperation with the Italian company Enel, and is being implemented through the Ukraine Energy Support Fund. This project is part of a broader effort to strengthen Ukraine’s energy resilience and implement sustainable solutions for critical infrastructure operation.
Upon completion of construction at the specified site, a 102 kW solar power plant, equipped with panels donated under the European Commission’s 2023 Ray of Hope initiative, will ensure the operation of essential medical services, including operating rooms, intensive care units, and water purification systems. A 100 kWh battery system, funded by EU grant support, will enable the facility to operate at full load for over an hour, ensuring the continuity of vital procedures during power outages.
“The transport and logistical support provided through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism has proven a true lifeline for Ukraine amidst brutal Russian aggression,” said EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarina Mathernová. “It allowed for the delivery of vital humanitarian aid and essential energy equipment supplied by EU member states. Combined with the EU’s financial contribution to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund (UESF), this plays a key role in deploying renewable electricity generation for critical infrastructure, ensuring power availability when it is most needed.”
The initiative initially covered 17 hospitals, but has expanded to more than 100 healthcare facilities by March 2025, with further expansion expected as new applications are received.
