Danish wind turbine manufacturer Vestas and Ukrainian energy producer DTEK have signed a memorandum of understanding to build the second phase of the 384MW Tyligulska wind power project in southern Ukraine. The first phase has an installed capacity of 114MW and will be put into operation in May 2023. It invested $200 million to build, including 19 turbines.

The combined capacity of the first and second phases of the Tyligulska wind power project is 500MW. The two phases will be powered by 83 Vestas V162-6.2 MW wind turbines, with an operating mode of 6 MW. These two stages can generate 1.7 terawatt hours of clean electricity per year for 900000 households, avoiding 1.7 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

The two companies began cooperation in 2021, when the second phase was announced. After the outbreak of the Ukrainian war, the project was put on hold. Through a memorandum of understanding, they reiterated their commitment to continue the project and build renewable energy projects in the country.

DTEK plans to start the second phase of construction in the second quarter of 2024 and complete it by the end of 2025. Starting from the end of 2024, the turbine will gradually be connected to the grid. This stage will require an investment of 450 million euros. DTEK will mobilize its own financing with the support of major banks guaranteed by the state. The Tyligulska wind power project is part of DTEK's long-term strategy to achieve carbon neutrality and integrate into the EU's single energy market.

Vestas CEO Henrik Anderson stated that we are delighted to once again expand our partnership with DTEK and establish the Tyligulska project to support the reconstruction of Ukraine's energy sector and demonstrate Ukraine's openness to business. This project is becoming a reality under special circumstances, and we look forward to collaborating with DTEK to complete the final steps of financial settlement.

Infrastructure projects of this scale in Ukraine currently require additional risk guarantees, and we believe that supporting such an ambitious project can once again emphasize the EU's support for Ukraine. I would like to commend DTEK for his visionary leadership skills and thank you for your trust in Vestas.

DTEK CEO Maxim Timchenko stated that today's memorandum of understanding is a declaration of trust between DTEK and Ukraine, and a signal that we and our partners will not wait until the end of the war to invest in a greener future. Today, we are not only busy restoring what the occupiers are destroying, but also busy building a new energy system.

The Tyligulska wind farm will greatly enhance the stability of our energy system, help strengthen the country's energy security, and make Ukraine a leader in decarbonization, capable of serving as the energy center of Europe.Editor/XingWentao