30.10.2025
Amid constant challenges to the Ukrainian energy system, energy storage technologies are becoming the key to security, stability, and the creation of a modern, decentralized grid.
“Galnaftogaz” Concern, widely known to the public for its OKKO filling station network, is now confidently developing its renewable energy division. Its strategic goal is to achieve 1 GW of its own generation by 2030. Several major projects have already been implemented: a 150 MW wind power plant, an agreement for another 192 MW, and Ukraine’s most powerful Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at 22 MW / 44 MWh.
In an interview with the Energy Club media department, Oleksa Konenko, Head of the Renewable Energy Department at “Galnaftogaz” Concern, spoke about the company’s path to a “green” transformation, the challenges and opportunities, and the main rule that, in his opinion, should guide Ukrainian business today: “Build faster than they destroy.”
— Mr. Konenko, “Galnaftogaz” Concern is primarily known for the OKKO network. What was the impetus for developing your own renewable energy division?
— We have long recognized that our main business—fuel retail—has natural limits. Europe is rapidly moving away from petroleum products; Ukraine is a bit slower, but the process is irreversible. We had been considering various strategic development options for a long time, and even before the full-scale invasion, we decided to move towards renewable energy.
This isn’t something exotic: abroad, many companies similar to ours chose this path long ago. Selling energy is what we have always done, just in a different form. Now we have decided to sell electricity instead of fuel.
Furthermore, we already had the relevant expertise—we trade in oil, gas, and electricity. And the development of our electric charging station network logically pushes us towards our own generation.
So, this is an organic continuation of our business, not something detached.
After the start of the full-scale war, like the rest of the country, we focused on fuel logistics and ensuring network stability. But from the beginning of 2023, we returned to implementing our energy projects.
The first was a pilot project for an energy storage system, as this technology has a shorter implementation cycle. In parallel, we are preparing large-scale wind projects, especially since most of Ukraine’s wind power capacity ended up under occupation.
— What is your main goal: energy autonomy, cost savings, or a new business line?
— This is a new, independent line of development for the group, not directly related to the filling station network.
We are creating large-scale generation—wind, solar, and storage systems. This isn’t about saving electricity at filling stations; it’s about creating a new business with its own structure, land resources, competencies, construction, and trading.
At the same time, we are implementing local solar stations at some of our filling stations—more than 240 sites are already equipped with rooftop solar power plants (SPPs). Where rooftop installation isn’t technically feasible, we are building small, free-standing stations nearby on our own or leased plots.
We are also installing energy storage systems at these sites. They reduce the load during peak hours, help avoid overconsumption, and provide autonomy in the event of a blackout.
— Tell us about the flagship project for “Galnaftogaz” Concern in the RES sector.
— We launched Ukraine’s first energy storage installation with 22 MW of power and over 40 MWh of energy capacity. We are now finalizing the second stage—also 22 MW, but with a larger energy capacity.
Additionally, we are implementing our first 150 MW wind power plant project, which is already in its final stages. We plan to launch it by the end of the first quarter of 2026.
Immediately after that, we will begin our second wind project—approximately 190 MW.
— Did you attract foreign financing?
— Yes, and this is extremely important. We became the first private Ukrainian energy group to attract financing from institutions like the EBRD and IFC after the full-scale invasion. This was a strong signal to the market: despite the war, investors are willing to invest in Ukrainian energy. Of course, there are risks—our reality is different from Europe’s, so you must be able to legally reflect these risks in contracts.
But we proved it is possible. And now other companies are following our example.
— Are you considering creating energy hubs based on your filling stations?
— Absolutely, and there will be at least four such hubs. We have already installed Ukraine’s first 360 kW Ultra-Fast Chargers and have covered all major highways—from Lviv to Kyiv, and from Kyiv to Kharkiv, Dnipro, and Odesa. We are gradually increasing their number and simultaneously integrating solar stations and energy storage systems so that the filling stations can become local energy hubs.
— What difficulties do you face when implementing projects?
— In Ukraine, any large project is a constant challenge. There are technical, staffing, and bureaucratic problems. The biggest issue is the shortage of qualified personnel, as people are leaving, and the demographic situation is difficult.
As for regulatory issues—yes, they exist, but honestly, many processes have been simplified during the war years. Procedures for land allocation and obtaining permits have become more flexible, and this is precisely what has given impetus to the development of the BESS market.
— And finally—what is your message to Ukrainian energy companies planning RES and BESS projects?
— Projects can and must be implemented even now, during the war.
Yes, it’s a risk. But if we wait for a “better moment,” we will simply lose time.
Our experience shows that even without prior energy expertise, but with a desire to understand, with a team, and with partnerships, you can succeed.
To survive, we must evolve faster than we are being destroyed. Build faster than they destroy. And this applies not only to the energy sector but to the entire country.
