By launching the project “Ray of hope” with Enel, the Commission is taking a first step as part
of the wider initiative announced by President von der Leyen on donations of solar panels to Ukraine
during her visit to Kyiv on 2 February 2023.
Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simson, the CEO of Enel, Francesco Starace, and Ukrainian Minister
of Energy, German Galushchenko, met in hybrid format today to welcome Enel's commitment to
donate to Ukraine 5,700 solar photovoltaic (PV) panels of 350 Watt each, for a total capacity of
around 2 MW. The donated solar PV panels will cover up to 11,400 square meters of roofs split among
different public buildings in Ukraine. The delivery is set to take place by summer 2023.
President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said: “Following my announcements
in Kyiv one month ago, today we can announce that a first batch of solar panels will be delivered to
Ukraine soon. I want to thank Enel which is donating 5,700 solar panels to Ukraine. These solar
panels are produced in Europe, in Catania, with the support of the European Innovation Fund. They
will provide electricity to schools, hospitals and fire departments. I am convinced that other European
companies as well as Member States will be inspired by this first step, so that Ukraine can rely on
clean electricity, produced at home.”
Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simson, said: “This project starts a wider initiative to increase
Ukraine's energy security by developing their renewable capacities. It shows European solidarity in
action and showcases how investment in clean tech manufacturing can make Europe more energy
secure and independent. I am very grateful to Enel for this generous donation to Ukraine. Once again,
Enel proves to be a frontrunner, not only as a company at the cutting edge of clean tech innovation,
but also for its corporate social responsibility. We are proud that EU-produced solar panels will help
increase energy security for schools, hospitals and other public buildings in Ukraine.”
Enel CEO, Francesco Starace, said: “We would like to thank the European Commission for involving
us in this important initiative, through which we can contribute to the continued functioning of
essential public services in Ukraine. The PV panels we are donating were produced by our 3Sun
Gigafactory, which is an Italian excellence paving the way towards greater energy independence in
Europe by helping reshore the PV value chain. These panels will generate clean, sustainable and
reliable power, helping key public buildings in Ukraine, such as schools and hospitals, to become selfsufficient in terms of energy. With this project, we are offering a ‘ray of hope' to the people of
Ukraine, who are deeply suffering as a result of the ongoing war.”
Ukrainian Minister of Energy, German Galushchenko, said: “Gradual decentralisation of Ukraine's
energy system is a guarantee of its security and resilience against Russian attacks. In pursuing this
course, the Ministry of Energy will focus on stimulating the development of green energy. It is
especially important today to expand the capacity for autonomous power supply of facilities that are
vital for the country's functioning. We are grateful to Enel, all European companies and the European
Commission, for their strong support and solidarity in our fight for life, light and heat in our Ukrainian
homes.”
This initiative is part of a wider effort undertaken by the EU to ensure off-grid solutions aimed at
supplying electricity to key public civilian buildings in Ukraine. Following continued Russian attacks
on Ukraine's civilian energy infrastructure, the EU is providing 5,400 energy generators. The solar PV
panels will play a similar role, as they will allow public buildings in Ukraine to rely on self-generated
electricity.
The panels donated by Enel will be transported with the logistical support of the Union Civil Protection
Mechanism (UCPM) and the Energy Community. The panels will be allocated to key public buildings in
Ukraine providing essential public services, such as education and health, according to the priority list
established by the Ukrainian government. The independent oversight of the distribution and
installation process in Ukraine will be established by the Energy Community Secretariat in
cooperation with respective Ukrainian authorities.
All the solar panels donated by Enel were produced in the Italian 3Sun Gigafactory in Catania, Sicily,
which is set to become the largest PV module manufacturing plant in Europe by increasing its current
annual production capacity of 200 MW to about 3 GW per year by 2024 with a planned investment of
approximately €600 million. The project, which is called ‘TANGO', i.e. iTaliAN Giga factOry, was one of
seven initiatives selected by the European Commission as part of the first Innovation Fund call for
large-scale projects, and was awarded funding worth up to €118 million. The project was also
submitted in the call to access the funds in Italy's National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP)
relating to Mission M2C2 Investment 5.1 ‘Renewable energy and batteries' - sub-investment 5.1.1
‘PV Technology', with a Development Contract managed by the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in
Italy (MIMIT). These two funds could bring the total funding for the project up to a maximum amount
of €188 million.
