Electricity trade in Ukraine: comparative analysis of import and export

The import and export of electricity serve as critical indicators of a country’s energy stability, economic resilience, and geopolitical positioning. This article explores the evolution of electricity trade in Ukraine in the context of profound transformations triggered by the full-scale war. The author analyses changes in the structure of electricity imports and exports, revealing Ukraine’s growing dependence on external energy sources amid the destruction of its domestic energy infrastructure. The pre-war period was characterised by a relatively stable balance between domestic electricity production and exports to neighbouring countries. However, the war led to the devastation of generation capacities, a decline in production, disruption of supply chains, and a sharp increase in electricity imports from European countries, particularly Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, and Romania. Special attention is paid to the analysis of energy flows, the influence of seasonal fluctuations, and Ukraine’s integration into the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity. The article also examines the consequences of reduced domestic demand, driven by population displacement, a decline in industrial output, and changes in consumption patterns. The author utilises empirical data, graphical illustrations, and analytical insights to outline new approaches to ensuring energy security during wartime and throughout the post-war recovery process. The study underscores the importance of energy diversification, infrastructure resilience, and regional cooperation in rebuilding a sustainable and independent power sector. The findings of the study emphasise the strategic importance of energy source diversification, modernization of electricity grids, development of renewable energy, and the expansion of international energy cooperation. This article will be of value to researchers, economists, energy analysts, and policymakers engaged in the restoration and development of Ukraine’s energy sector.