Ukrenergo purchased 600 MW of auxiliary generation services in 2024
Almost 500 MW of them are services of new facilities that are expected to appear in the Ukrainian energy system in the next two years and will contribute to the development of distributed generation
NPC Ukrenergo indirectly influences the development of decentralized generation. Thus, in 2024, the transmission system operator purchased auxiliary services of generation facilities with a total capacity of about 600 MW at long-term special auctions. This was reported by the Ukrenergo press service.
Almost 500 MW of them are services of new generation facilities that are to be built and appear in the Ukrainian energy system by October 2025 (377 MW) and from January 1, 2026 (about 100 MW), the report says.
Purchased generation facility services should assist in balancing the power system by increasing or decreasing generation at the command of the dispatcher.
"In the context of constant enemy attacks on the Ukrainian energy system, the construction of decentralized generation is a matter of extreme importance. The principle here is very simple: replacing large power plants with small generating units of the same total capacity scattered throughout the territory of Ukraine. Such an energy system is much less vulnerable to enemy missiles and drones, and accordingly, much more stable, capable of providing Ukrainians with electricity even in extreme conditions," Ukrenergo emphasizes.
The transmission system operator also reports that a significant part of the distributed generation facilities already commissioned in 2024 are connected to the technological networks of industry and business and operate to meet their own needs. These are mainly small installations - up to 20 MW of installed capacity.
This certainly has a positive impact on the security of electricity supply both for these consumers themselves and on reducing the overall level of consumption in the unified energy system of Ukraine.
"Thanks to this, the load on the power system is reduced during peak hours and the consequences of the forced application of consumption restriction measures in conditions of energy shortage are mitigated," Ukrenergo explains.
Therefore, the company offers owners of generating plants built by business and industry to take advantage of the existing electricity market model and also participate in the provision of ancillary services.
As reported by "Ukrainian Energy", in October 2024, NPC "Ukrenergo" announced an additional special auction for the purchase of auxiliary services for the provision of fast reserves for balancing the power system for 5 years.
According to the Ministry of Energy, the total capacity of distributed gas generation plants connected as of December 31, 2024 reached 967 MW. Of these, 835 MW were put into operation this year.
At the same time, experts believe that Ukraine failed to launch 1 GW of electricity generation during 2024, as announced by President Volodymyr Zelensky at the end of 2023. By the end of the year, only up to 30% of the planned volume of creation of shunting power plants with a total capacity of 1 GW had been implemented. And of the approximately 300 MW of installed new capacities, only half - about 150 MW - is actually operating.
