Ukraine's orientation towards the Green Deal goals (the “Green Agreement” of the European Union aimed at decarbonizing the block's energy, -ed.) is a practical implementation of the European integration vector of state development, said Alexander Kucherenko, Director for Sustainable Development of DTEK, speaking at European Business Association.
“The way we, as a country, a business, react and take steps towards the implementation of this program is evidence of our readiness to enter the European community. It is about changing culture and values, about changing the culture of consumption, and first of all - the culture of energy resources consumption, ”A. Kucherenko said.
He noted that DTEK is actively working to achieve the Green Deal goals in the context of decarbonization, the development of renewable energy sources and the transformation of coal regions.
“DTEK has approved its Sustainable Development Strategy until 2030, which takes into account the main elements of the European green course. We understand that decarbonization is not a political slogan or a fashion trend, but a condition for business development. That is why, in our corporate strategy, we set ourselves an ambitious goal - to decarbonize electricity production by 2040, ”said DTEK's director of sustainable development.
A. Kucherenko also recalled that DTEK has already invested 1.2 billion euros in the development of green generation in Ukraine and currently has 1 GW of wind and solar power plants under its management. “Also in November 2019, DTEK Renewables were the first in Ukraine to issue green Eurobonds in the amount of 325 million euros, which are also aimed at increasing the share of renewable sources in Ukraine,” he said.
In addition, in his speech, A. Kucherenko paid attention to the issues of a fair transformation of coal regions. “At present, DTEK's thermal power plants and mines employ about 40 thousand people. Taxes paid by DTEK enterprises make up 60% of the budget of 18 monocities. That is why the planned and gradual decarbonization of the energy sector is an extremely important issue, because the well-being of thousands of families and dozens of settlements will depend on this, ”said DTEK's Sustainable Development Director.
He noted that over the 15 years of its existence, the company has invested almost UAH 20 billion in sustainable development, in particular, about UAH 10 billion in environmental protection (and this is excluding the environmental tax), almost UAH 5 billion in labor protection and industrial safety, 3.5 billion in social facilities.
A. Kucherenko also expressed his conviction that investments in Ukraine's implementation of the EU's green policy will lead the country's economy to technological progress: it will become more energy efficient and innovative.
