Bogdan Sukhetskyi: Ukrhydroenergo continues to develop hydropower even during wartime
Despite continued russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, Ukrhydroenergo is not only restoring damaged facilities but also continuing to implement strategic development projects. The company is strengthening the physical protection of its hydropower plants, modernising infrastructure, and investing in the further development of hydropower generation.
This was stated by Bogdan Sukhetskyi, CEO of Ukrhydroenergo, during the panel discussion “Investing in Ukraine’s Critical Infrastructure” at the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2026 in Gdańsk on 26 June.
“We are not standing still. We build protection, withstand attacks, analyse how that protection performs, and make it even more reliable. Every stage of recovery makes us more resilient,” said Bogdan Sukhetskyi.
He added that, with the support of European partners, the company has established a substantial reserve of critical equipment, stored both in Ukraine and at warehouses across Europe.
The CEO also highlighted the safety of hydraulic structures as one of the company’s key priorities during the war.
“Hydropower plants and dams are highly vulnerable to missile strikes and powerful explosions. That is why we continuously assess the condition of our dams, with the safety of people being our highest priority,” he stressed.
At the same time, the company continues to implement long-term investment projects.
“Today, we are investing every available resource to ensure that development does not stop. Recovery and protection remain our priorities, but it is equally important to prepare Ukraine’s power system for future challenges,” Bogdan Sukhetskyi said.
He noted that the company’s recovery and development projects are being implemented with the support of the World Bank and the European Union. Among the company’s key development priorities, the CEO highlighted the completion of the Dnister Pumped Storage Power Plant. Four generating units are currently in operation, construction of the fifth unit is underway, and the sixth and seventh units are planned. Ukrhydroenergo is also continuing preparations for the Kaniv Pumped Storage Power Plant project. Both facilities are essential for balancing Ukraine’s power system as the share of renewable energy continues to grow.
Speaking about financing, Bogdan Sukhetskyi emphasised the importance of a phased approach to attracting international funding.
“When financing is secured for specific purposes, we can flexibly determine our priorities—what must be financed immediately and what can be implemented in the coming years,” he explained.
According to the CEO, accelerating the recovery and implementation of Ukraine’s strategic hydropower projects requires expanding support from international financial institutions and the European Union, including through additional financial guarantee mechanisms. The panel discussion also featured Duncan Nightingale, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Naftogaz of Ukraine; Mirosław Czekaj, President of the Management Board of Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego (BGK); Grzegorz Lot, President of the Management Board and CEO of TAURON Polska Energia; Richard Amor, Director of Partnerships at EIB Global; and Oleg Prokhorenko, Executive Director of u. energy (UMAEF).
