Kyiv Post: EU, shale gas, nuclear power privatization part of Ukraine’s energy independence plan

Since energy security runs a close second to fighting the war in the east on Ukraine’s priorities, the drive for reducing the nation’s dependence on Russian supplies is moving into higher gear.

The need is especially urgent since Ukraine use of energy is three times as wasteful as the European Union, according to Anders Lund, manager of E5P, an EU-backed energy investment fund.

The key figure to reach is 45 billion cubic meters -- the amount that Ukraine is expected to consume this year. The following are four projects that could transform the face of Ukraine’s energy complex.

1. Gas pipelines to EU well on their way: Ukraine signed deals this year with Hungary, Poland and Slovakia to supply up to 10 billion cubic meters per year in the short term and up to 30 billion in the long term. A reverse pipeline was opened on the border with Slovakia on Sept. 2 to go around the trunk line that Russia’s Gazprom claims it has contracted to use.
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