By KYIV. Dec 13 (Interfax-Ukraine) – Energy Minister Herman Haluschenko and French-based Enedis President Marianne Laigneau have agreed to work together to develop a master plan for the development of Ukrainian power grids, the Ministry of Energy reported on its website on Monday.
"We are interested in attracting the experience and expertise of Enedis to develop our power grids and improve the management of distribution system operators," Haluschenko said.
Enedis is Europe’s largest French state-owned operator of electricity distribution systems.
According to the Ukrainian minister, the state company Ukrainian Distribution Networks, which was recently created to manage transmission system operators whose shares are owned by the state, should be guided by high management standards, innovative technologies, modern principles of digitalization and cybersecurity.
"It is important for us that Ukrainian Distribution Networks from the very beginning of its work focuses on high standards of operator management, introduces innovative technologies to improve the quality and reliability of power supply, applies modern principles of digitalization, cybersecurity and focus on the end user," the minister said.
In turn, the president of Enedis indicated that the creation of a master plan for the development of Ukrainian power grids would take several months.
"The French company is ready to send its experts to Ukraine to exchange experience in the field of power grid management, in particular, to strengthen cyber protection, digitalize processes and increase the efficiency of electric power transmission by reducing losses, as well as in the field of interaction with the consumer," the Ministry of Energy noted.
In addition, Enedis has already provided three batches of equipment for the energy sector in Ukraine, including generators, and plans to continue to provide assistance to Ukrainian energy workers to carry out repairs to power grid facilities after shelling.
Haluschenko met with Laigneau during a two-day working visit to France as part of a Ukrainian delegation led by Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.
