In 2022, low-carbon sources supplied about 71% of Ukraine’s electricity consumption, with nuclear alone providing more than half, at roughly 55%. Hydropower contributed around 10%, solar almost 5%, and wind just over 1%. Fossil fuels supplied about 28%: coal accounted for roughly 23% and gas for 5%. Ukraine therefore had a predominantly clean electricity mix, although fossil-fuel generation remained a substantial source of climate-changing emissions and air pollution.

Is Electricity Growing in Ukraine?

The supplied figures show that electricity consumption per person was far below its historical peak, rather than demonstrating sustained growth. In 2022, consumption stood at about 2,800 kWh per person, compared with roughly 5,700 kWh in 1988—a decline of about 3,000 kWh, or 52%. Low-carbon electricity generation also retreated from its more recent record: about 2,000 kWh per person in 2022, down from around 2,400 kWh in 2021, a fall of roughly 470 kWh, or 19%. These declines are concerning because expanding clean electricity supply is important for reconstruction and future electrification.

Suggestions

Ukraine can increase low-carbon electricity generation by restoring and expanding its existing nuclear fleet while accelerating solar and wind development. Nuclear already provides the country’s largest source of electricity, making it a strong foundation for further clean generation. Nearby Slovakia, where nuclear supplies 66% of electricity, and France, at 67%, offer relevant examples of nuclear-led electricity systems. For solar, Ukraine can learn from Hungary, where it supplies 23% of electricity, and Bulgaria, at 19%. Lithuania’s 41% wind share and Poland’s 14% also provide useful regional examples. Combining these technologies with stronger grids and storage would help Ukraine expand clean electricity supply and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

History

Ukraine’s low-carbon electricity history has been marked by substantial nuclear gains interrupted by troubling losses. In the late 1980s, nuclear generation fell by 10.6 TWh in 1986, rebounded by a combined 29.3 TWh in 1987–1988, and declined again in 1989 before gaining 9.7 TWh in 1990. The 1990s brought another nuclear decline in 1994, followed by a 9.1 TWh increase in 1996; hydropower grew by 5.9 TWh in 1998. Nuclear gains in 2000 and 2004 were followed by a 6.9 TWh setback in 2009 and a 6.2 TWh recovery in 2010. During 2013–2017, nuclear output repeatedly fell and recovered, while hydropower lost 5.2 TWh in 2014. Most recently, nuclear generation dropped by 6.8 TWh in 2020, recovered by 10 TWh in 2021, then plunged by 24.1 TWh in 2022—the largest annual loss listed. That severe reversal represents a deeply concerning loss of clean electricity, underscoring the importance of restoring output and building a stronger low-carbon electricity system.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade