On 27 November, the State Energy Company of Ukraine, known as JSC ECU, carried out a controlled test purchase of electricity from Romania. This move was reported by Liga, a Ukrainian energy news outlet, as part of ongoing efforts to explore how Ukraine might access European energy markets in the future. The operation marked a small but deliberate step in evaluating cross-border power flows and the potential role such imports could play in Ukraine’s energy security strategy.
According to the ECU press service, the test involved importing electricity in non-commercial volumes of 1 MW for two separate one-hour windows, at 9:00 and again at 14:00 on November 27, 2022. These deliveries were described as a test mode, designed to assess the practicalities of cross-border electricity exchange with Romania and to verify the technical feasibility of such imports should policy or market conditions require them in the future. The event followed an auction conducted by Ukrenergo, the nation’s transmission system operator, on November 24 that granted the ECU the right to import electricity under certain conditions.
Officials from the ECU emphasized that the ability to import electricity from neighboring European countries could serve as an additional tool to stabilize Ukraine’s energy system in times of stress, especially during peak demand or supply disruptions. The test deliveries were framed as practical experiments to validate transmission routes, metering, and balancing arrangements necessary for reliable cross-border exchanges.
Earlier in the year, ECU had already conducted preliminary test efforts related to imports from Slovakia, with operational checks occurring on 27 October and 19 November. These steps reflect a broader program to explore regional interconnections and the capacity of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure to integrate European power markets if needed. The overarching aim, as stated by ECU representatives, is to strengthen systemic resilience and ensure continuity of electricity supply across the country even under challenging circumstances.
Meanwhile, the broader Ukrainian energy landscape continues to evolve. In late November, President Volodymyr Zelensky reaffirmed ongoing restrictions on electricity supply in 15 regions, including Kyiv, underscoring the persistent balancing challenges faced by the power sector. The government and industry stakeholders have underscored the importance of diversification options and regional cooperation to manage demand and maintain grid stability during periods of constraint. Within this context, private sector players, including DTEK, remain key entities in electricity generation and distribution, working to meet a substantial share of the population’s energy needs while navigating export and import dynamics, market prices, and regulatory requirements. This environment highlights the strategic significance of cross-border import tests as both a diagnostic tool and a potential component of future energy policy, rather than a one-off activity. It also signals Ukraine’s intent to build closer energy ties with European neighbors as part of a long-term plan to ensure secure, reliable power for households and businesses alike, even amid ongoing geopolitical and market uncertainties.