Larysa Shustenko: "The next 10 years of Energy Club should be a time of new partnerships and opportunities for the energy sector"

Ten years of Energy Club is not just an anniversary of a professional community. It is ten years of changes in the Ukrainian energy sector, the search for solutions and dialogue between business, the state and the financial sector. And today it is especially important to talk not only about how energy has changed, but also about those who help it survive and invest in its future.

One of these partners is Oschadbank. Energy has long become a strategic direction for the bank. As of the beginning of July 2026, Ukrainian banks had lent UAH 70 billion to the energy sector. At the same time, Oschadbank provided a third of the total volume – almost 30%.

Oschadbank has been a member of the Energy Club for more than two years. What does participation in the professional environment of energy professionals give the bank? How has the role of the Club changed after the start of a full-scale war? And most importantly – why does Ukraine need a platform today that can translate professional dialogue into specific projects and financing?

This was stated by the head of the public relations and media department of JSC Oschadbank Larysa Shustenko in an interview dedicated to the 10th anniversary of Energy Club. The stability of the Ukrainian energy system may one day be called the “Ukrainian energy miracle,” and the experience we are creating today is already worth sharing with the world, she emphasized.

– Oschadbank joined the Energy Club more than 2 years ago. Financing the energy sector is one of the bank’s priorities, so it is important for us to work directly with companies and industry experts and better understand their needs. And also to share our experience. Because we are the bank with the greatest expertise in the energy sector on the market, – noted Larysa Shustenko.

– What practical value does participation in the Energy Club bring to your company?

– The Energy Club brings together key market players: experts and financial institutions, manufacturers, specialized industry companies, and government agencies. It is an environment where specific issues of energy development, infrastructure reconstruction, and the introduction of energy-efficient technologies are discussed. We value the opportunity to exchange experiences and find new ideas and opportunities for the country’s energy sector.

– What formats of Energy Club work are most useful to you and why?

– Working groups, closed meetings, and large industry forums are useful for us.

Working groups provide an opportunity to discuss specific regulatory and financial issues. At closed meetings, you can speak directly with specialized companies, the regulator, legislators, and government officials. Forums help present banking solutions and find new clients and partners.

All this creates synergy that helps develop the market.

– Ms. Lvryso, how do you think the role of Energy Club for the energy market of Ukraine has changed over the past 10 years?

– The role of Energy Club has become especially important after the outbreak of a full-scale war. The presence of a professional platform has allowed us to openly discuss and find solutions for the restoration of damaged facilities, the development of distributed generation, energy efficiency, and the protection of energy infrastructure.

– What would you like Energy Club to do in the next 10 years?

– Ukraine’s ability to restore its energy capacity, the resilience of our energy system will one day be called the “Ukrainian energy miracle.” Already now, other countries, in addition to helping us with restoration, are also adopting our experience. Perhaps Energy Club should become a permanent platform for such an exchange of experience? A place where you can discuss not only Ukrainian but also global experience, find partners, and move from discussion to financing.

And from ourselves, we wish the Club further success and continue to fruitfully unite companies, the state, financial institutions and international partners around the development of the Ukrainian energy sector.

Today, Ukrainian energy needs not only resources for recovery, but also an environment in which solutions are born, partners are found and new projects are launched. This is exactly the role that Energy Club can continue to play, uniting business, the state, financial institutions and international partners.

In ten years, the Club has formed a strong professional community. The next ten may be the time when the accumulated expertise and experience will be transformed into specific investments, new energy capacities and sustainable solutions for the country. And, perhaps, this is where what will later be called the “Ukrainian energy miracle” begins today.