Electricity in Ukraine in 2022

In 2022, the electricity consumption in Ukraine was predominantly powered by low-carbon and nuclear energy, amounting to 83.48 TWh and 64.99 TWh respectively. Fossil fuels contributed to a lesser extent at 28.46 TWh, with coal making up the bulk of it at 21.71 TWh, and gas contributing 6.33 TWh. Hydropower added 10.54 TWh, while solar and wind power contributed nearly 7 TWh and a little more than 1 TWh respectively. In comparison to the global average of 410 watts per person, Ukraine's electricity generation is considerably low. This low level of electricity production could impact the nation's economic development, the quality of life of its populace and possibly even inhibit the adoption of electric technologies such as electric cars and electric heating.

Suggestions

The key to increasing low-carbon electricity supply in Ukraine could lie in the expansion of existing nuclear technologies, as they already generate a significant amount of electricity in the country. Looking towards nations that have successfully employed low-carbon energy sources could provide Ukraine with valuable models for development. For instance, the United States and France have both managed to generate more than half of their total electricity from nuclear power alone. Even Russia, a country with similar climatic and geographic conditions to Ukraine, has seen success with nuclear power, producing 217 TWh. Additionally, countries like China, Germany, and India have demonstrated remarkable progress with wind and solar power, generating hundreds of TWh annually. Emulating these countries could aid Ukraine in enhancing its low-carbon electricity generation.

History

The history of low-carbon electricity in Ukraine has been primarily dominated by nuclear power. Starting from the late 1980s, there have been significant fluctuations in nuclear power generation. After a sharp drop in 1986, the subsequent years saw encouraging growth, with the highest recorded in 1988 at 21.6 TWh. These ups and downs in nuclear power generation continued into the new millennium. The beginning of the 21st century witnessed a few years of stable growth in nuclear power generation, but unfortunately, the following decades saw alternating periods of increase and decrease. In particular, the recent sudden drop in 2022 by -21.3 TWh suggests that there are still significant challenges to be addressed in the field of nuclear energy generation.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources