The move will reduce dependence on Russia to a minimum, the official said.
Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze says the integration of Ukraine's energy system into the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E) is an integral part of the electricity market reform, as this opens up opportunities for creating transparent and effective competition in the domestic electricity market, making Ukraine part of the European energy space.
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"Results of Ukraine's gas market integration into the European one and its depoliticization have already shown their effectiveness. We've already got more than 40 importers and the most diversified gas supply portfolio among our neighbors. Therefore, I'm convinced a full-fledged electricity market with effective competition and the ability for the end user to choose a supplier will work effectively when Ukraine becomes part of the European energy space. So, the key task is the integration of Ukraine's power system into ENTSO-E. And this goal is defined in the relevant government documents as our state's strategic course," she said on May 28 at the conference, titled "Ukraine Integration into ENTSO-E: Key Benefits and Challenges."
"In fact, we regard it as such an 'energy visa waiver,' which will enable us to become part of the European energy space, and, what is equally important, to reduce dependence on Russia to a minimum," the official summed up.
ENTSO-E, the European Network of Transmission System Operators, represents 43 electricity transmission system operators (TSOs) from 36 countries across Europe, thus extending beyond EU borders. ENTSO-E was established and given legal mandates by the EU's Third Package for the Internal energy market in 2009, which aims at further liberalizing the gas and electricity markets in the EU.