European Commission completely relocates thermal power plant from Lithuania to Ukraine
The European Commission has successfully carried out the largest coordinated logistical operation ever, completely relocating a thermal power plant from Lithuania to Ukraine.
"This unprecedented transfer restores critical energy capacity and directly strengthens Ukraine’s national grid after prolonged Russian attacks on its infrastructure. The equipment played a crucial role in completing emergency repairs in several parts of the country where the energy infrastructure was severely damaged. It is capable of supplying electricity to around one million Ukrainians," the European Commission said on Monday.
According to the information released, the complex operation, which took place over 11 months, involved 149 deliveries of equipment weighing a total of 2,399 tonnes. Of these, 40 were oversized, including extremely heavy transformers and stators weighing around 172 tonnes each.
"The support of the Polish Government Agency for Strategic Reserves played an important role in ensuring the complex transportation of these components," the EC added.
The press release also notes that "this landmark operation is part of the EU’s comprehensive response to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine since February 2022, coordinated through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM)." "To date, EU support to Ukraine’s energy sector has helped meet the needs of around 9 million people, including the delivery of 9,500 generators and 7,200 transformers through the Facility.
Overall, the Commission has allocated over EUR 1.2 billion for humanitarian aid programmes in Ukraine and delivered over 160,000 tonnes of aid. In addition, all 27 EU countries, together with 6 participating states – Norway, Türkiye, North Macedonia, Iceland, Serbia and Moldova – have offered Ukraine in-kind assistance through the UCPM. The EU has also coordinated the medical evacuation of over 4,700 Ukrainian patients to hospitals in 22 countries for specialised treatment.