Greenpeace and SolarPower Europe announce collaboration to accelerate solar PV in Ukraine
Today, during the second day of SolarPower Europe’s annual SolarPower Summit event in Brussels, Nina Schoenian, Managing Director at Greenpeace Germany, Illia Kuksenko, Junior Campaigner at Greenpeace Ukraine, and SolarPower Europe CEO Walburga Hemetsberger, signed a Memorandum of Understanding, establishing their commitment to fast-track solar installations across Ukraine, amid the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Greenpeace and SolarPower Europe’s collaboration to accelerate the deployment of solar PV systems across Ukraine is part of the country’s sustainable reconstruction and resilient energy supply. SolarPower Europe and Greenpeace will work to ensure that Ukraine’s reconstruction creates quality employment, safeguards the country’s energy security, and reorients the economy towards a sustainable and prosperous future, with solar as the backbone of a new, green energy system. Finally, they aim to explore EU-Ukraine Facility opportunities, and to strengthen EU-Ukraine solar energy cooperation.
Walburga Hemetsberger, CEO of SolarPower Europe (she/her) said:
“Solar power, as a decentralised and easily deployable clean energy technology, plays a crucial role in Ukraine’s energy security. Today, solar PV projects in Ukraine are essential for combatting energy outages, ensuring hospitals and schools can continue operating, and keeping critical infrastructure functional. Together, Greenpeace and SolarPower Europe will aim to accelerate solar adoption in the country, and safeguard its long-term energy resilience."
Nina Schoenian, Managing Director at Greenpeace Germany (she/her) said:
“Renewable energy should be the future for Europe and Ukraine. With the "Solar Energy Marshall Plan for Ukraine," Greenpeace has outlined a roadmap for expanding Ukraine's solar energy capacity. Embracing solar energy is a double opportunity for Ukraine to overcome its energy challenges and boost economic development, and the EU's support will play a crucial role in making this vision a reality. We're looking forward to working together to make this a reality, and ensure Ukraine's energy independence and security for generations to come.”
Notes:
- The SolarPower Summit is SolarPower Europe’s flagship event, which brings together key decision-makers, and industry experts from around Europe to explore Europe’s most pressing questions.
- SolarPower Europe is a proud partner of the Solar Supports Ukraine campaign, with the BSW, the German Solar Association, and our implementation partners, the RePower Ukraine Charitable Foundation and the Energy Act for Ukraine Foundation. Together, we're working to install solar on schools and hospitals in Ukraine, tackling energy outages.
- Greenpeace is comprised of 25 independent national/regional organisations in over 55 countries across Europe, the Americas, Africa, Asia and the Pacific, as well as a co-ordinating body, Greenpeace International. In 2022, Greenpeace Germany and Greenpeace CEE initiated the “Green Reconstruction of Ukraine” project to advocate for sustainable rebuilding in the country. The new office in Kyiv, Ukraine was opened in September 2024. Find out more here.
- To help Ukraine in its recovery, reconstruction and modernisation efforts, the EU launched the Ukraine Facility, a dedicated instrument which will allow the EU to provide Ukraine with up to €50 billion in stable and predictable financial support from 2024-2027. Find out more here.
- Greenpeace’s ‘Solar Energy Marshall Plan for Ukraine’ study was commissioned by Greenpeace Germany and conducted by the economic consultancy firm Berlin Economics.