The Energy Community Secretariat (ECS) and Ukrainian state-owned hydropower company Ukrhydroenergo have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on legal actions against Russia for damages to the company’s energy infrastructure (23 August).
Under the Memorandum, the ECS will provide Ukrhydroenergo with strategic and legal advice in obtaining compensation for damages caused by Russia’s military invasion. Ukrhydroenergo will also benefit from the support of the ECS’s Ukraine Legal Support Platform, specially created for Ukrainian public energy companies.
“Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion and to this day, the aggressor has not stopped launching missile strikes at Ukraine’s energy facilities, including hydropower facilities. Since last fall, more than 50 missile strikes have been launched at our facilities. The Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant was blown up. […] Therefore, we hope that cooperation with the Energy Community Secretariat will make it possible to hold the aggressor country accountable for the damage caused, help restore justice and assist the company in restoring its facilities,” said Ukrhydroenergo CEO Ihor Syrota.
Ukrhydroenergo is the owner of major hydropower plants along the Dnieper and Dniester rivers, including the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant, which was destroyed by Russian occupying forces in June. The 343 megawatt (MW) plant produced 1.2-1.5 billion kilowatt hours (kWh) per year on average.
“We are eager to start working with our colleagues at Ukrhydroenergo to find the best course of action for justice to be served. In this context, we will also explore options for recovery of damages for the dramatic environmental consequences following the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam,” said ECS Deputy Director Dirk Buschle.
