(Finance) – Today, with the launch of the project “Ray of hope” together with Is in thethe Commission European has taken a first step in the broader initiative announced by President von der Leyen of donation of panels solar atUkraine during his visit to Kiev on 2 February. Today, the European Commissioner for Energy Kadri simsonthe CEO of Enel Francis Starace and the Minister of Energy of Ukraine German Galushchenko gathered in a hybrid event to welcome Enel’s pledge to donate to Ukraine 5,700 photovoltaic solar panels of 350 Watts each, for a total capacity of about 2 MW. The photovoltaic panels object of the donation will cover up to 11,400 square meters of roofs distributed among various public buildings in Ukraine. Delivery of the panels is expected by summer 2023.
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, he said: “After my statements in Kiev a month ago, today we can announce that a first batch of solar panels will soon be delivered to Ukraine. I want to thank Enel which is donating 5,700 solar panels to Ukraine, produced in Europe, in Catania, with the support of the European Innovation Fund. They will supply electricity to schools, hospitals and firefighters. I am convinced that other European companies as well as Member States will be inspired by this first step, so that Ukraine can count on clean, domestically produced electricity.”
The European Commissioner for Energy, Kadri simsonsaid: “This project kicks off a broader initiative to increase Ukraine’s energy security by developing renewable capacities. The project demonstrates European solidarity in action and shows how investments in clean technology production can make the A safer and more independent Europe from an energy point of view. I am deeply grateful to Enel for this generous donation to Ukraine. Once again Enel proves that it is at the forefront not only as a company at the forefront of clean technology innovation, but also in terms of corporate social responsibility. We are proud that EU-made solar panels will help increase the energy security of schools, hospitals and other public buildings in Ukraine.”
The CEO of Enel, Francis Staracesaid: “We would like to thank the European Commission for involving us in this important initiative, with which we can help ensure the continuity of essential public services in Ukraine. The photovoltaic panels we will donate were produced by our 3Sun Gigafactory, an excellence paving the way for greater energy independence in Europe by helping to relocate the PV value chain.Our panels will generate clean, sustainable and reliable energy, helping to ensure that key public buildings in Ukraine, such as schools and hospitals, reach self-sufficiency in terms of energy. With this project we intend to offer a ‘ray of hope’ to the Ukrainian populations hard hit by the effects of the ongoing war.”
The Minister of Energy of Ukraine, German Galushchenko, He said: “The gradual decentralization of the Ukrainian energy system is a guarantee of its security and resilience against Russian attacks. In pursuing this path, the Ministry of Energy will focus on promoting the development of green energy. Today it is particularly important to expand the autonomous energy supply capacity in favor of vital structures for the functioning of the country. We are grateful to Enel, all European companies and the European Commission for their strong support and solidarity in our fight for life, light and warmth in Ukrainian homes”.
This initiative is part of a wider effort undertaken by the EU to ensure off grid solutions aimed at supplying electricity to buildings public civilians of paramount importance in Ukraine. As a result of continued Russian attacks on Ukraine’s civilian energy infrastructure, the EU is currently offering around 5,400 power generators. Photovoltaic panels will play a similar role, allowing public buildings in Ukraine to rely on self-generated electricity.
The panels donated by Enel will be transported with the logistical support of Union Civil Protection Mechanism (MUPC) and of theEnergy Community. The panels will be awarded to key public buildings on Ukrainian territory that provide essential public services, such as education and healthcare, according to a priority list established by the Ukrainian government. Independent supervision of the distribution and installation process in Ukraine will be carried out by the Energy Community Secretariat in cooperation with the relevant Ukrainian authorities.
All of the solar panels covered by Enel’s donation were produced at the Italian 3Sun Gigafactory in Catania, which is set to become Europe’s largest photovoltaic module manufacturing plant by increasing its current annual production capacity of 200 MW to around 3 GW per year by 2024, with a planned investment of around 600 million euros.
The project, called “TANGO“, that is to say iTaliAN Giga factOry, was one of seven initiatives selected by the European Commission under the first call of the Innovation Fund for large-scale projects, obtaining funding worth up to €118 million. Furthermore, the project was presented within the tender to access the funds of the Italian National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) in relation to the M2C2 Investment 5.1 “Renewables and batteries” mission – sub-investment 5.1.1 “PV technology”, with a Development Contract managed by the Ministry of Enterprise and Made in Italy (MIMIT). Together, these two loans could bring up to a total of €188 million to invest in the project.