GE Vernova and Honeywell in pacts to boost Ukraine wind power and energy storage
Wide-ranging pacts aim to help Ukraine’s DTEK rebuild ravaged power generation capacities, boost energy storage and transition to renewables
At a global summit in Berlin on rebuilding Ukraine, the country’s largest private power producer DTEK has inked deals with US turbine maker GE Vernova and manufacturing giant Honeywell to boost wind power and energy storage.
The memorandums of understanding signed at the Ukraine Recovery Conference will see the companies explore opportunities to rebuild DTEK generation facilities destroyed by Russian missiles as well as speed its transition to renewable energy.
“Large-scale international partnerships are fundamental to Ukraine’s recovery and our announcement today serves as an example that actions, rather than words, are what Ukraine needs right now,” said DTEK CEO Maxim Timchenko.
Russian missile attacks have crippled Ukraine’s power grid, taking over half of its generating capacity offline. DTEK has lost a staggering 86% of its capacity since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022.
The pact with GE Vernova will see it work with DTEK to build wind farms in Ukraine and in the EU.
They will also collaborate on developing open cycle gas turbines and combined cycle gas turbines and grid infrastructure projects.
The two companies previously worked together on commissioning the 200MW Prymorska windfarm near Zaporizhzhia and Timchenko hailed their “strong history together”.
Honeywell will meanwhile explore deploying its battery energy storage systems and restore DTEK generation facilities that have been damaged by Russian missiles.
It will also work with DTEK on developing modular refining and modular gas processing solutions, as well as DTEK’s transition to renewable energy sources.
“Our energy system is under attack like never before,” said Timchenko, “and I deeply appreciate Honeywell for its steadfast support to both rebuild and create a new energy system.”
DTEK said its new agreement with Honeywell also deepens a long-standing collaboration between the companies, with the US manufacturing giant deploying an energy storage system in Ukraine in 2021.
Przemek Szuder, Honeywell’s Central and Eastern Europe chief, said the company was pleased to “explore new ways to support Ukraine’s current and long-term energy needs.”
The conference taking place in Berlin this week has seen European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reveal that Ukraine will receive €1.5bn ($1.6bn) from Russian frozen assets in July to help it rebuild.
The US and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development have also made pledges amounting to almost $2bn to help restore Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.