Ukraine launches major new 500-megawatt wind power plant as war with Russia rages

Ukraine’s biggest private energy company, DTEK, has launched the first stage of a 500-megawatt wind power plant in a boost to the country’s energy sector following Russian air strikes. The Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure caused widespread damage and left millions without electricity and heating over winter. Ukraine is now racing to repair and strengthen the sector before this year’s winter months. Once completed, the Tyligul wind farm will be the largest in Ukraine. For now, 19 wind turbines will generate electricity to support Ukraine’s energy balance. DTEK started building the plant in 2021 but construction stopped after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. The plant is less than 100 km (62 miles) from the frontline. Work resumed in April last year with engineers and workers building 13 wind turbines since then. Six turbines were built before the war. The project will cost 450 million euros ($486 million), said Maxim Timchenko, chief executive officer of DTEK. DTEK officials said the wind project was a key step forward to cut greenhouse gas emissions. DTEK also has thermal generation capacity across the country and its plants have suffered from multiple Russian attacks. DTEK said in a statement it had invested 890 million hryvnias ($ million) to repair thermal power plants in the first four months of the year. It said a total of nearly 7 billion hryvnias would be needed to restore all the equipment damaged and destroyed at thermal power plants. The Sun newspaper brings you the latest breaking news videos and explainers from the UK and around the world Become a Sun Subscriber and hit the bell to be the first to know Read The Sun: Like The Sun on Facebook: Follow The Sun on Twitter: Subscribe to The Sun on Snapchat: #ukraine #russia #war