GREEN ENERGY IN UKRAINE: POTENTIAL, ACHIEVEMENTS, AND FUTURE PROSPECTS

The current state of renewable energy development in Ukraine and its correlation with overall European energy trends has been examined. The key components of Ukraine’s energy balance have been analyzed, including nuclear energy (49.2%), fossil fuels (28.5%), hydropower (11.8%), and renewable sources (9.8%). It has been identified that the share of renewable energy sources in Ukraine is significantly lower than the European average, where renewables account for 42% of electricity production. The impact of military actions on the renewable energy sector has been considered, revealing substantial destruction of infrastructure, a decline in generation volumes, and a decrease in investment activity. It has been established that a significant portion of wind and solar power plants has been damaged or is located in temporarily occupied territories, leading to a reduction in total generation capacity and a slowdown in the development of new projects. Key financial and regulatory challenges in the industry have been outlined, including tariff policy instability, debt obligations to renewable energy producers, limited access to investments, and the low efficiency of support mechanisms for green energy. It has been proven that without structural reforms in state regulation and the development of new financial instruments, further expansion of renewable energy remains at risk. Possible ways to overcome the crisis and stimulate the development of renewable energy in Ukraine have been analyzed. The expansion of financing mechanisms, modernization of energy infrastructure, implementation of energy storage systems, and adaptation of the Ukrainian energy sector to European environmental standards have been proposed. The importance of developing decentralized generation and increasing the country’s energy independence has been highlighted. It has been concluded that the full-scale development of renewable energy requires comprehensive measures from the government, business, and international partners. Ukraine’s active integration into the European energy market, implementation of decarbonization policies, and gradual transition to a sustainable energy system will contribute to strengthening the country’s energy security and achieving an environmentally safe future.