Just 16.6 MW of new generating capacities were built in Ukraine in 2015, what represent 4% of total installed capacity of wind power turbines (426.2 MW) in Ukraine at the end of the year. Wind power sector produced 1125 million kW*hours of electricity, or 0.73% of its total generation in the country. This is enough to provide annual electricity supply to 2.8 million of families. Read more at http://ecotown.com.ua
At the end of the March Ukraine will have to submit a report about spending of EUR100 million, provided by Government of Japan for implementation of carbon emission reduction projects under Kyoto Protocol. However, according to Economic Pravda, Ukrainian Government is facing problems with proof that money were spent according to intergovernmental agreement. There were number of corruption scandals covered in media and related to illegal utilization of Kyoto Protocol funding.Recently government issued a resolution which states that Ukraine have used just 43% of its Kyoto Protocol quota for greenhouse gas emission in 2008-2012.
On the eve of holidays last month, two power distribution companies in Ukraine said that hackers had hijacked their systems to cut power to more than 80,000 people. The intruders also sabotaged operator workstations on their way out the digital door to make it harder to restore electricity to customers. The lights came back on in three hours in most cases. Later on Ukrainian officials appeared to blame Russia for the attack, saying that Ukraine’s intelligence service had detected and prevented an intrusion attempt “by Russian special services” against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Read more at http://www.wired.com
The Economy Ministry estimates that 42 percent of the nation’s economy, or about $18 billion, was unaccounted for in the first six months of 2015. Since 2008 an average of 44.5 percent of the nation’s gross domestic product has gone unregistered, according to Friedrich Schneider, an Austrian economics professor. According to Kyiv-based investment bank Dragon Capital, $328 billion have escaped official detection in 2011-2015. On a larger scale, undeclared work and illicit financial flows remain the principal problems. They include tax invasion, capital flight, money laundering, and misuse of budget revenues. Most dangerous one is the shadow economy in the government sector,it is based on corruption and destroys country's economy. Read more at http://www.kyivpost.com
According to Russian news agency TASS, trade turnover between Russia and Ukraine decreased by 80% in 2015. Since Ukraine declared independence in August 1991, it sought to establish an identity that would set it apart from Russia. However economically, Ukraine remained Russia's colony. In 2013, its trade turnover with Russia, at $31.8 billion according to the official Ukrainian statistics agency, reached 28 percent of its total trade.The last two years, since Ukraine's "Revolution of Dignity," the Russian annexation of Crimea and the Russian-backed insurgency in eastern Ukraine, have seen perhaps the biggest breakup between neighboring, closely interconnected countries in post-World War II history. Read more at http://www.bloombergview.com
Slow pace of reform, corruption, unsustainable development, hunting, poaching and deforestation are devastating what's left of Ukraine's wildest regions. As well as the threat to the most important migration corridor for bears, the unique character and resources of Ukraine's Carpathians are in danger of being over-exploited and ruined for generations. The organic sector in Ukraine shows huge potential it is currently a wasted opportunity. Environmental standards need vast improvement and businesses need to learn to recognise how to tap the soaring demand from EU markets for organically produced food. For example, the regions mushrooms, fruits and vegetables are by all accounts particularly delicious. New ambitious WWF project is aiming to reverse the destruction with one of Europe's most challenging rewilding projects. Read more at http://uatoday.tv
Due to the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) Ukrainian businesses receive stable and predictable preferential access to the largest market in the world with 500 million customers, while EU businesses will be able to benefit from easier access to the Ukrainian market and build new relationships with Ukrainian suppliers and cooperation partners. The DCFTA will thus offer an opportunity to Ukraine to improve its business climate and to attract foreign investment, helping Ukraine to further integrate with the world economy. Free Trade Area is foreseen to be implemented over several years, allowing gradual legislative alignment and time for all affected stakeholders to adjust. The EU continues to support Ukraine by providing assistance and making available advice and expertise, notably to help small businesses (SMEs) to grow and to take advantage of the opportunities granted by the DCFTA, in particular regarding the progressive alignment with EU rules. Read more at http://eeas.europa.eu
The aim of the governmental energy efficiency program is to consume less energy, pay less for fuel import and plan country's energy policy more efficiently. The Ukrainian authorities' ultimate goal is to achieve total energy independence for the country in ten years. Ukraine consumes, on average, 50 million cubic meters (bcm) less natural gas each day than in the previous year, saving $11.3 million daily. Read more at http://sputniknews.comUKRTRANSGAZ, Ukrainian natural gas transportation operator, reported an increase of gas transit in 2015 by about 8%. Most of transit gas was delivered to EU (64.161 bcm), and the rest - to Moldova ( 2. 921 bcm).
Ukraine doubled its natural gas import from Europe in 2015 to 10.3 bcm and halved import from Russia (to 6.1 bcm). Overall gas import to Ukraine in 2015 decreased from 19.6 bcm to 16.4 bcm, a decrease of 3.2 bcm or -16.3%.Read more at http://utg.ua/ http://www.bloombergview.com/
