Ukraine’s Energy Security in Strategies

Abstract

During the independence period, the Ukrainian government has published two energy security strategies. The first strategy was adopted in 2006 and the second one in 2016. Both documents provided a similar definition of energy security. The aims of the first strategy, covering the period 2006–2030, were the restructuring of the fuel and energy complex using new technologies, increase of energy efficiency and ensuring market prices of energy generation and sale. The second strategy was much more extensive and envisaged the implementation of changes in three stages until 2035. The changes proposed in the document are reasonable from the point of view of Ukraine’s energy security. The strategy does not take an explicit position on decarbonisation, although it provides for the modernisation of power plants and closure of unprofitable mines. Some of the goals of the Ukrainian energy sector were only roughly outlined and therefore need elaboration and clear indication of how they would be achieved. The aim of this article is to analyse the reforms and measures provided for in Ukraine’s strategies designed to ensure the country’s energy security. The research hypothesis is as follows: The reforms envisaged in the strategies can effectively contribute to ensuring the state’s energy security. To test this hypothesis, the author formulated the following research questions: 1. How did the two energy strategies define security?; 2. Which elements of energy policy were considered to be the most important in the first strategy document?; 3. What energy security components are listed in the second strategy document?; 4. Were the measures specified in the first and second strategies capable of ensuring the energy security of Ukraine? The applied research methods were the following: literature research, comparison method and content analysis.