Norway announced an aid package of 250 million euros ($270 million) to bolster Ukraine’s energy infrastructure to address the damage caused by Russian attacks and assist the Ukrainian population through the challenging winter months.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Norway has emerged as a significant supporter of Ukraine through military, humanitarian, and financial aid, committing to a comprehensive multi-year support plan, which pledges 75 billion NOK ($6,8 billion) over five years, from 2023 to 2027. The country has also joined security agreements with Ukraine to affirm its commitment to long-term defense and political cooperation.
The aid will be directed towards repairing existing infrastructure and constructing new facilities with improved defenses against potential future attacks, according to Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide.
“It is absolutely essential to ensure that the Ukrainian people have access to electricity this winter,” Eide said.
A key component of this aid involves the procurement of power supply equipment through an international tender won by Bergen Engines. This equipment, funded under the Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine, will be crucial in bolstering Ukraine’s energy capacity as winter approaches, according to the Norwegian Foreign Affairs Ministry.
The Norwegian government is contributing to the reconstruction of power stations in several Ukrainian regions, including Dnipro, Odesa, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Lviv.
The aid package encompasses a range of energy-related projects, from supplying entire cities with electricity to providing individuals with home insulation materials. These measures aim to enable Ukrainians to remain in their homes despite potential power outages.
Eide and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha personally inspected a thermal power plant in Kyiv Oblast that had been damaged by Russian forces, underscoring the urgent need for such assistance.
“We have reaffirmed the unwavering alliance between Ukraine and Norway,” Sybiha stated.
Sybiha also emphasized the potential for joint weapons production between the two countries, calling for increased Norwegian investment in Ukraine’s defense industry. This request aligns with Norway’s recent commitments to support Ukraine’s military capabilities.
This support is part of a larger commitment announced by Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre in September, proposing an increase of NOK 5 billion ($457 million) in support to Ukraine this year.
In July, Norway provided nearly $93 million to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense systems. September saw an additional allocation of more than 48 million euros ($51 million) for drones and further air defense enhancements. Most recently, in October, Norway committed approximately $87 million to four projects aimed at boosting weapons production capacity, with a focus on supporting Ukraine.
Related:
- Norway backs Ukraine’s NATO bid, welcomes Zelenskyy’s victory plan
- Norway allocates over $ 87 million to expand weapons production for Ukraine
- Norway FM: Nobody does enough for Ukraine
- Norway to send F-16 jets, instructors to assist training Ukrainian pilots in Denmark
- Norway approves direct arms sales to Ukraine
