NPC Ukrenergo has received the status of an observer member of the ENTSO-E European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity, an agreement on its granting was signed on Tuesday in Warsaw, the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine has reported.

"This agreement brings Ukraine even closer to full integration with European power markets and determines our development for the future. I am grateful to our European partners and friends for their support and trust. I am sure that this event is important not only for us, but also for Europe," Minister of Energy Herman Haluschenko said.

He said that Ukraine's membership in ENTSO-E will be mutually beneficial and will allow Ukraine not only to study and implement the best European practices, but also to share invaluable experience in ensuring the reliability of the power system in extreme conditions.

The status of an observer member will allow NPC Ukrenergo to join the international association of European TSOs. As an observer member, the Ukrainian operator will be able to participate in the meetings of the ENTSO-E Regional Group Continental Europe (RG CE). Representatives of the company, in particular, will be able to join the ENTSO-E working and expert groups dealing with the development of the electricity market, balancing, ancillary services, electronic data interchange, the development of cyber protection in the electricity sector, as well as the integration of renewable energy sources.

According to the Ministry of Energy, the event of granting Ukrenergo the status of an observer member was attended by EU Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson, President of ENTSO-E Hervé Laffaye, Secretary of State of Poland, Commissioner of the Polish Government for Strategic Energy Infrastructure Piotr Naimski, Minister of Climate and Environment of Poland Anna Moskwa, Chair of the Supervisory Board of ENTSO-E Joachim Vanzetta, Secretary General of ENTSO-E Sonya Twohig, management of NPC Ukrenergo, as well as the Polish transmission system operator PSE.