The push for energy autonomy in Ukraine is gaining momentum as Geothermal Ukraine, an organization that has strong incentives to utilize geothermal energy, commits to expanding geothermal development and garnering collaboration with international professionals.
Established in April 2022, the initiative aligns with Ukraine’s national goal to transition away from fossil fuels. Yuliia Demchuk, board member and leader of Geothermal Ukraine explains that the geological landscape in Ukraine offers significant geothermal potential. She asserted that the geothermal gradient ranges from 3.5 to 8.4°C per 100 metres in the western region of the country.
The organization is currently facilitating research on direct geothermal applications across the country, with a focus on integrating high-temperature heat pumps. Additionally, there are ongoing efforts to collaborate with communities to secure social licenses for projects. Outreach initiatives, such as translating educational resources like Our Hidden Powers into Ukrainian for young students, are part of their mission to build trust and awareness.
Demchuck states that approximately 30 percent of Ukraine’s energy portfolio comprises renewable sources, and the organization aims to install 20 MW of geothermal capacity by 2030.
“We welcome all interest from companies and stakeholders to collaborate and share their expertise, technological advancements, and innovative ideas on how to support and grow geothermal energy in Ukraine,” stated Demchuck.
As geopolitical challenges restrict activity in Eastern and Southern Ukraine, Demchuck states that the organization is concentrating on the western part of the country for now, with hopes to expand to other regions in the future. Despite these hurdles, the organization remains optimistic, emphasizing that hard times also present unique opportunities for “mutual growth” and resilience.
“We are focused on developing more decentralized and autonomous projects for local communities to ensure their energy independence in such a challenging time.”
