Meeting, held in Manchester on Monday, included representatives from the UK and Ukrainian governments, energy supply chain companies, and international organizations.
Manchester, 12 December 2022 — The Energy Industries Council (EIC), one of the world’s largest energy trade associations, in collaboration with the Department for International Trade (DIT), held on Monday (12 December 2022) the Ukraine Procurement Day event with representatives from dozens of UK energy supply companies.
The event, held at Manchester Science & Industry Museum, is aimed at procuring emergency equipment for Ukraine power generation and looking at how the UK’s advanced energy sector can help with long-term reconstruction efforts in the country. According to the World Bank, which presented at the event, nearly 50% of energy facilities in Ukraine have been damaged. That includes high voltage transformers in key substations which caused rolling blackouts in the entire country.
Speaking at the event were UK Minister for Exports Andrew Bowie MP and representatives from Ukraine including Yaroslav Demchenkov, the country’s Deputy Minister of Energy.
EIC’s Chief Executive Officer, Stuart Broadley, said: “Massive attacks by Russia on Ukraine energy facilities in November are the second front line and have created a humanitarian crisis with 10 million citizens now without power and heating. EIC members and the UK energy supply chain companies in general have many decades of experience spanning the globe in the energy sectors and are well-placed to provide support for the Ukrainian people. In fact, many of them are adept at working in difficult environments and challenging situations and are in a position to help directly or by providing advice to fellow businesses and the government.”
He added: “The event served as a forum for the UK supply chain, governments of UK and Ukraine and international organisations to listen to each other’s views, exchange ideas and experience that will contribute directly to delivering not just immediate support for Ukraine, but also long-term support in developing their renewable capabilities.”
Richard Jones, Global Sales Manager FH Bertling Logistics, said: “This event is connecting people across the power supply chain with governments and other parties so that they can talk to each other and see where the need is and then satisfy it. It’s about putting all the links in the chain and making the picture clear for everyone who is ready to help. It’s not only about supplying the equipment but also delivering it to Ukraine as well.”