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From farms to fuel: Ukraine’s biomethane opportunity for energy security and European decarbonisation
…waste. The IEA estimates Ukraine’s biogas and biomethane production potential, using only waste and residues, at roughly 11.6 billion cubic meters equivalent (bcme) per year, making it the European leader in terms of available feedstock. Ukraine’s biomethane sector benefits from another advantage in addition to feedstock availability: well-developed domestic gas infrastructure. The country’s extensive gas network connects in the West and South to Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and Romania via Moldova, with a combined exit capacity of around 140 bcm of natural gas per year. Ukraine also hosts Europe’s largest underground gas storage facilities, with…
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Joint Statement in Support of the IEA-Ukraine Collaboration Programme
…Poland, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the European Commission recognise the efforts undertaken by the IEA to assist Ukraine in establishing a strategic vision for a secure and resilient energy future, including through its support for initiatives to facilitate investment in distributed energy resources. We also recognise the IEA’s work to disseminate key lessons learned from Ukraine, as it works to retain energy security and resilience despite ongoing attacks.We express our appreciation for the implementation of the IEA’s Joint Work Programme with Ukraine, which encompasses key Ukrainian energy priorities, including power sector security, oil and gas supply…
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Key lessons from Ukraine can inform energy resilience planning worldwide
…and building mechanisms for swift and effective cross-border collaboration.In each case, the report provides a snapshot of what Ukraine has done and delivers practical recommendations that policymakers and regulators elsewhere can take into consideration, based on their national priorities.The IEA has worked closely with Ukraine, an Association country, on energy system resilience, publishing a 10-point plan ahead of the 2024-25 winter, along with a 2025-26 update and a roadmap for decentralising Ukraine's power system. This has provided Ukraine with critical assistance, while also offering invaluable real-world lessons that can inform resilience globally…
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IEA Members reaffirm support for IEA-Ukraine Collaboration Programme
…underscoring the initiative’s importance as Ukraine approaches the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full‑scale invasion.The joint statement from the Ministers of the Programme’s donors – Canada, Czechia, Denmark, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the European Commission – was released during the IEA’s 2026 Ministerial Meeting.The Ministers applauded the IEA’s work with Ukraine through the Programme, noting that it supports both the near-term reconstruction of Ukraine’s energy sector – which remains under significant attack by Russia – and helps facilitate the investments needed for Ukraine to build a new energy future.In their…
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High-level dialogue explores key measures for funding investments in Ukraine’s energy security
…world recently met to discuss ways to support Ukraine’s energy future, focusing on measures that would strengthen the security of its energy system and options for financing them.The event in Paris took place on 18 February during the IEA’s 2026 Ministerial Meeting and was led by Deputy Prime Minister Sophie Hermans of the Netherlands, who chaired the IEA Ministerial; IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol; Lithuania’s Energy Minister Žygimantas Vaičiūnas; and Poland’s Energy Minister Miłosz Motyka. It included the participation of Deputy Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal of Ukraine.Ukraine is implementing short-term measures to safeguard its…
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7 certainties about energy for this age of uncertainty
ED commentary The energy sector, like many others, is contending with a blizzard of uncertainties, complicating the work of policymakers, business leaders and investors.Geopolitical twists and turns are straining long-established relationships and upending deeply held assumptions. The World Uncertainty Index, devised by economists from the IMF and Stanford University, has hit unprecedented levels in recent months.But in this time of flux, there are still some important trends that we can identify with some confidence. Here are seven that can help us keep our bearings: The world has entered the age of electricity Oil and gas will still…
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The energy crisis creates even stronger impetus for EU electrification
draft title Electrification is central to meeting the European Union’s goals on energy security, competitiveness, affordability, and emissions reductions. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has highlighted the risks of over-dependence on imported fuels and concentrated supply routes, making the case for electrification even stronger.In the EU, around 70% of electricity generation is already supplied from domestic, low-emissions sources. And yet end-users (industry, buildings and transport sectors), source less than one quarter of their energy consumption from electricity. Today, around two-thirds of end-use energy consumption relies on fossil fuels, of which the…
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Delivering on the EU’s electrification ambitions
EU paper The EU has ambitious goals for electrification Electrification is a key pillar of the EU’s energy security, industrial competitiveness, and climate strategy. Today, imported fuels account for around 60% of the EU’s total energy demand and cost the bloc EUR 380 billion in 2024. The risks associated with the EU’s reliance on fuel imports have been highlighted by recent market disruptions linked to the near-closure of the Strait of Hormuz amid the conflict in the Middle East, bringing renewed attention to the EU’s target of increasing electrification from 24% today to 32% of…
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How accelerating electrification could strengthen energy security in Southeast Asia
Commentary Electrification is key to energy security and sustainability across Southeast Asia Energy demand is rising rapidly in Southeast Asia, driven by economic growth, industrialisation, urbanisation and rising incomes. Since 2015, energy demand has risen by around 40%, while electricity demand has grown even faster – twice as fast as overall energy use. Although renewables have increased significantly over the past decade, fossil fuels have continued to dominate, meeting over 70% of energy demand growth across this period, with oil accounting for nearly half of total energy consumption.Rapid energy demand growth and continued dependence on fossil fuels brings greater exposure…
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Why the growth of energy service companies is uneven globally
ESCO The global annual ESCO market growth rate has more than doubled over the past five years Energy efficiency is one of the most cost-effective tools for enhancing energy security, reducing household energy bills and supporting countries’ efforts to reduce emissions. Energy service companies (ESCOs) – firms that develop and implement energy efficiency projects typically financed through verified energy savings – are playing a growing role in delivering energy efficiency improvements across buildings, industry and transport infrastructure worldwide. By integrating project development, financing and performance guarantees, ESCOs can offer a proven way to reduce upfront investment barriers and shift technical and…