Ukraine’s record imports and minimal exports of electricity over the past decade were recorded in 2024
According to the data published on the Energy Map portal, Ukraine imported 4436.6 GWh of electricity in 2024, the highest amount in the last 11 years (data before 2014 is not publicly available). At the same time, electricity exports reached a historic low of 348.5 GWh.
The main reason for the abnormal figures was the Russian systemic and deliberate strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure. From March 22 to December 25, 2024, Russia carried out 13 massive missile and drone attacks, firing 846 missiles of various types and 866 drones. 230 (27%) missiles and 25 (3%) drones were not captured by air defense or neutralized by radar systems, probably hitting their targets.
Over January and February 2024, import volumes were the lowest for the year, but they began to grow rapidly after the start of massive attacks by Russia. The peak imports were recorded in June and July when the shelling was compounded by the abnormally warm weather and the traditional scheduled maintenance of power units to prepare them for the autumn-winter period. In June, imports reached 858.4 GWh, 6% more than the total amount of electricity imported in 2023 (806.4 GWh), and it was the highest monthly figure since 2014 (according to available data).
Over the year, Ukraine imported 38.4% of its electricity from Hungary (1705 GWh). Commercial exchanges between the two countries resumed on February 23 after the launch of joint auctions for the interconnectors’ capacity allocation on the JAO platform. Prior to that, electricity was exported for the last time in February 2022 and imported in January 2022.
In parallel, Ukraine imported 1036.5 GWh (23.4% of the total) from Slovakia, 819.6 GWh (18.5%) from Romania, 636.6 GWh (14.3%) from Poland, and 238.9 GWh (5.4%) from Moldova.
Electricity exports in 2024 amounted to 348.5 GWh, 5% less than in 2023 and 90% less than in pre-war 2021. During the year, Ukraine exported in all available directions. Most of the electricity was exported to Poland (88.4 GWh, or 25.4%), Hungary (76.6 GWh, or 22%), Romania (71.2 GWh, or 20.4%), Moldova (56.8 GWh, or 16.3%), and Slovakia (55.5 GWh, or 15.9%).
The peak exports were recorded in March, before the start of massive shelling, during which Ukraine exported 154.1 GWh (44% of the annual volume). For 140 days, from May 12 to September 29, electricity exports from Ukraine were stopped entirely. Overall, electricity exports were delivered throughout 151 days (41% of the year), while there were no exports in the other 215 days (59%). However, imports practically never stopped – its absence was recorded only in two days of the year.
The preparation of this material was made possible thanks to the support of the American people, provided through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) within the framework of the project “Energy Sector Transparency”, implemented by the DiXi Group NGO. The information presented in this material is the sole responsibility of the DiXi Group NGO and under no circumstances can be considered as reflecting the position of USAID or the US Government.
