'Norway has supported Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale war nearly five years ago. Ukrainian energy facilities are subjected to targeted Russian attacks daily, and Norway will also continue to contribute to maintaining energy production. The cooperation agreement we have signed today underscores that Norway has much to contribute, but also much to learn from Ukraine’s experiences with energy preparedness and securing critical infrastructure. We are committed to facilitating a cooperation that can strengthen expertise in both countries,' said Minister of Energy Terje Aasland.

Earlier this year, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a joint declaration on a strategic partnership, the so-called Ellisiv Declaration. The declaration signed today follows up on this joint declaration in the energy sector.

Energiminister Terje Aasland og Ukrainas energiminister Denys Sjmyhal signerte energisamarbeidsavtale.
Energiminister Terje Aasland og Ukrainas energiminister Denys Sjmyhal signerte energisamarbeidsavtale. Credit: Arvid Samland/Energidepartementet

As early as 2024, Norway and Ukraine agreed on a cooperation agreement in the energy sector. This agreement has now been revised in light of the strategic partnership agreement signed by Støre and Zelenskyy.

Experience Exchange Important Moving Forward

After nearly five years of war, Ukraine has developed unique expertise in securing and preparing the energy sector. There is a need for rapid response to restore the power system after Russian attacks, and Ukraine has also made significant progress in new and innovative ways to secure energy facilities. This is an area where Norway can learn a lot, and experience exchange will therefore be a priority area in the coming period.

With the cooperation agreement, Norway and Ukraine aim to promote collaboration that strengthens energy security and creates opportunities for value creation in both countries. This is in line with the principles of the Ellisiv Declaration, which emphasizes mutual benefit.

Key Points in the Cooperation Agreement:

Enhanced Cooperation

The revised cooperation agreement builds on the Ellisiv Agreement between Norway and Ukraine and contributes to strengthening the strategic energy cooperation between the countries. The most important areas of cooperation include supply security, preparedness, reconstruction, energy transition, renewable energy, energy storage, and decentralized power production.

Mutual Learning on Preparedness and Securing Energy Infrastructure

The agreement emphasizes the value of mutual learning, where the Norwegian energy sector can draw important experiences from Ukraine’s work on preparedness, resilience, and protection of critical energy infrastructure. The cooperation can take place between authorities and private and public energy actors through, among other things, experience exchange, expert dialogue, training, and development of concrete projects.

Facilitating Private Investments in the Energy Sector

The parties will work to mobilize private investments and support for Ukraine’s energy sector and facilitate increased cooperation between Norwegian and Ukrainian authorities, expert communities, and businesses.

500 Million NOK in Energy Support for Ukraine Ahead of Winter

During the visit to Kyiv, Aasland also announced that Norway will contribute 500 million NOK in energy support to Ukraine ahead of winter. The support is provided under the Nansen Programme and will help restore damaged infrastructure and ensure reliable operation of Ukraine’s energy system.

The civilian part of the Nansen Programme amounts to 15 billion NOK in support in 2026. Energy is the largest single component of this support, with nearly 5 billion NOK. This underscores how important this sector is for Ukraine.

Visited Actors Working on Civil Preparedness

In Kyiv, Aasland visited, among others, Ukrenergo, which operates the main power grid in Ukraine. He also visited the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, where he received an update on the service’s work in search and rescue after Russian attacks. During the visit, Aasland will also meet with the Norwegian energy companies Scatec, Fenix Repower, and Emergy, as well as representatives from Innovation Norway and the Norwegian-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce.

'It makes a strong impression to visit Ukraine again, and I am impressed by the work being done daily in the Ukrainian energy sector. Energy infrastructure is a target for Russian attacks, and those working to keep the facilities running are exposed to life-threatening danger every single day. They are doing an important job to ensure that Ukraine can maintain its resilience in the war and provide the population with light and heat. Here, I believe Norway has much to learn,' said Aasland.

In Norway, the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE) is responsible for preventive safety and preparedness in the power supply. This involves ensuring the supply of power so that society can function even in a crisis situation, by providing a robust power supply and stable electricity delivery. Both Director General of Water Resources and Energy Kjetil Lund and NVE’s Director of Preparedness Kristian Markegård are participating in the visit to Ukraine to bring back Ukrainian experiences to Norway.