Energy independence of Ukraine: the role of green energy and European legislation

Introduction. The paper emphasizes the importance of avoiding Ukraine's energy dependence on Russian energy carriers, as this can be one of the priority factors for enhancing national security and sustainable development of our country. The research addresses the issue of introducing alternative energy sources, which, even in the face of constant rocket attacks, allow the state to function. The purpose of the paper is primarily to assess the current energy situation in Ukraine, which is particularly negatively affected by the Russian Federation's constant missile attacks. In addition, the goal is to identify prospects and ways to develop an energy independent state. To do this, the following tasks need to be accomplished: to analyze the current state of Ukraine's energy sector, to identify ways to overcome energy dependence, and to analyze legislative trends in the field of energy regulation in European countries. Results. It is estimated that the period since February 24, 2022 has been the most challenging for Ukraine's energy system, as the number of attacks by the Russian Federation on our energy supplies has been steadily increasing, forcing us to respond to the challenges. The energy sector holds one of the key positions in the development of the country, as it generates tax revenues and stimulates modern technologies. We believe that the state should stimulate the development of small-scale generation, continue to implement the energy system decentralization program and actively promote the widespread use of alternative energy sources. Conclusion. As the Ukrainian energy system currently operates with a minimum safety margin for both power grids and generation, it is worth focusing on alternative green energy. The priority is to reduce dependence on centralized systems and increase the resilience of energy networks to new challenges. Investment is not enough, and Ukraine needs to develop its own path to building an independent state, particularly in the energy sector.