The State Agency on Energy Efficiency and Energy Saving of Ukraine Wins the COGEN Europe Award for the Development of High-Efficiency Cogeneration in Ukraine
The State Agency on Energy Efficiency and Energy Saving of Ukraine (SAEE) has received an Award for Excellence in High-Efficiency Cogeneration Policy Implementation from the European Association COGEN Europe, which is an important voice of the cogeneration industry in the European Union.
“This recognition is especially valuable at a time when Ukraine is fighting for its energy resilience. For us, it is yet another confirmation of the support and readiness for cooperation from EU industry leaders in order to achieve common goals.
I am grateful to COGEN Europe and personally to Mr. Hans Korteweg, Executive Director of the Association, for their support, partnership, and high appraisal of our work. This is international confirmation that even in the most difficult times we do not stop, but reform the sector, build new opportunities, and create a foundation for the energy independence of Ukraine and the European continent,” said Hanna Zamazieieva, Head of the State Agency on Energy Efficiency and Energy Saving of Ukraine.
In June 2025, the State Agency on Energy Efficiency, together with COGEN Europe and the “Cogen Ukraine” Association, and with the participation of representatives of the European Commission, held a large-scale international dialogue on the development of high-efficiency cogeneration. The event confirmed its strategic role in modernizing Ukraine’s energy sector and strengthening the country’s resilience.
During the war and the restoration of energy infrastructure, cogeneration is a key solution for strengthening energy independence, reducing fuel consumption, and fulfilling climate commitments to the EU. According to the Agency’s estimates, Ukraine’s power system currently needs at least 1,400 MW of flexible distributed capacity.
The importance and necessity of implementing such technologies are enshrined both in the EU Energy Efficiency Directive (EU) 2023/1791 and in Ukraine’s National Energy and Climate Plan until 2030.
The state is actively creating conditions for investment: licensing for facilities for own consumption has been abolished, permitting procedures and grid connection timelines have been optimized, and exemptions from customs duties and VAT for equipment have been introduced. These measures already attracted more than €120 million in investments in 2024.
Over ten months of 2025, the State Agency on Energy Efficiency qualified 67 high-efficiency cogeneration units with a total electrical capacity of 2.8 GW and thermal capacity of 9.5 GW. Despite all challenges, the work continues: according to the Agency’s forecasts, around 250 additional cogeneration units with a total electrical capacity of about 1.1 GW are planned to be installed across the regions of Ukraine in 2025–2026.
We are grateful to the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine for decisions on introducing new incentives and opportunities for the development of cogeneration in the regions (https://surl.lu/wswmgu). In practice, this means more stable heat and power supply at the local level and the development of distributed generation.
Special thanks go to the Mission of Ukraine to the European Union and personally to Vsevolod Chentsov, Head of the Mission of Ukraine to the European Union, who agreed to receive the award on behalf of the State Agency on Energy Efficiency during the official ceremony. In the near future, the award will be delivered to Kyiv — to the State Agency on Energy Efficiency.
Together with European partners, the State Agency on Energy Efficiency will continue to focus its efforts on strengthening energy security, developing sustainable solutions, and ensuring affordable energy for the population.
