Current news on Rebuild Ukraine topic

Historic milestone: Renewable energy to overtake coal as the largest source of electricity in 2025 or 2026.

Renewable energy sources are expected to surpass coal as the largest source of electricity as early as 2025, or by 2026 at the latest, depending on weather conditions and economic factors, according to experts from the International Energy Agency (IEA).

The IEA report highlights the historic significance of this moment. Once this milestone is reached, coal’s share in total electricity generation will drop below 33% for the first time in 100 years. The key driving forces behind this shift are solar and wind power plants. According to IEA forecasts, their combined share in global electricity generation will reach nearly 20% in 2026, representing almost a fivefold increase compared to 4% a decade ago.

At the same time, hydropower will remain the largest single source of renewable electricity, accounting for 14%. Experts from the International Energy Agency emphasize that this historic transition is taking place against the backdrop of rising electricity demand, which is projected to grow by 3.3% in 2025 and 3.7% in 2026.

The World Bank to strengthen support for Ukraine’s energy sector.

Ukraine and the World Bank are stepping up cooperation in key areas of the reconstruction and development of Ukraine’s energy sector.

The parties agreed to intensify cooperation in the following areas:

• Mobilizing financing for the purchase of equipment to promptly replace assets damaged as a result of Russian attacks.
• Developing renewable energy sources and distributed generation, in particular through grants and investment attraction.
• Deepening cooperation in nuclear energy, including research and innovative solutions.
• Continuing the RePower project, which involves procuring equipment, constructing protective structures, and developing distributed generation.

A new joint project between the World Bank and Ukrhydroenergo is also planned, aimed at enhancing the flexibility of the energy system, developing energy storage facilities, and supporting the decarbonization process.

The World Bank noted that the energy sector remains among its priorities in Ukraine. The Bank’s team will be expanded to strengthen technical and expert support.

Poland, Slovenia and Japan continue to make efforts to rebuild Ukraine.

Polish businesses are applying to the Polish State Development Bank (BGK) for preferential loans to participate in projects for the reconstruction and modernization of Ukraine through investments. In particular, this concerns the construction of roads, energy networks or industrial facilities. The total budget of the program is PLN250 million ($55.25 million).

The maximum loan amount is PLN10 million at 2% per annum. At the same time, Ukraine and Slovenia have agreed on new reconstruction projects in the housing and communal services sector for frontline regions. These include water supply, energy efficiency and communal infrastructure. There are also agreements on the participation of Slovenian companies in the reconstruction of damaged housing, the development of “green” energy and waste management. Slovenia is already implementing initiatives in Kharkiv, Zhytomyr and Mykolaiv regions. In particular, this involves participation in the construction of medical facilities.

In addition, Japan will continue to support Ukraine under the Emergency Recovery and Reconstruction Project until 2027. Priority areas are providing housing for internally displaced persons, accessibility, recycling of waste from destruction, restoration of transport infrastructure, and energy.