It was a powerful impression to see their strong determination and underlines the importance of Norwegian support
Gunn Jorid Roset
Norad Director General
2 billion Norwegian kroner for electricity and heating in Ukraine
Major destruction in the frontline city of Kostyantynivka in the Donetsk region on December 17, 2025.
The winter in Ukraine is freezing. Many Ukrainians are now without electricity due to massive Russian attacks. Norway is supporting Ukraine with 2 billion Norwegian kroner for repairs in the energy sector and for gas purchases.
– Russia’s attacks primarily affect civilians. Ordinary people, such as families with children and the elderly, spend many hours each day without electricity or heat, while winter temperatures continue to drop. Norway’s contribution is helping Ukraine get through the winter, says Norad Director General Gunn Jorid Roset.
Gunn Jorid Roset recently visited a memorial wall for fallen Ukrainian soldiers.
Of the support, 1 billion Norwegian kroner will go to repairs in the energy sector and 1 billion kroner to gas purchases.
Forty percent of Ukraine’s population experiences power outages of 8–16 hours each day. This follows Russia launching more than 1,800 missiles and 51,000 drones against critical energy infrastructure.
Recently, Roset visited a power plant in Ukraine. The plant is regularly targeted by Russian attacks, including the night before the Norad director’s visit.
– I was met by power workers who risk their lives day and night to provide electricity and heating to the people. They showed me where the attacks had hit while doing their best to keep the plant operational, says Roset.
The Norwegian contribution will be channelled through established partners, such as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Energy Community, which is a treaty-international organisation working to expand the EU internal energy market to third countries like Ukraine. The support is coordinated with other major donors.
The 2 billion Norwegian Krone for electricity and gas is part of a 4 billion Norwegian kroner crisis response package to Ukraine, announced by Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide during a visit to the country. Another 2 billion Norwegian kroner is allocated to support the operation of the Ukrainian state. The funds are earmarked for payments such as pensions, social benefits, and teacher salaries. Norwegian support is intended to help the Ukrainian state until the loan scheme agreed upon by EU countries before Christmas is in place.
Read the press release on regjeringen.no
Affects the whole country
Russia’s attacks have put the country’s electricity supply under pressure. Last week, residents of Kyiv were urged to leave the city for areas with electricity and heating. In the coming days, temperatures in the Ukrainian capital are expected to drop to around -20°C. Last week, roughly 6,000 residential buildings in Kyiv were without power and heat.
Hospitals and maternity clinics are prioritized for power generators.
How we support electricity and heating
Since 2022, Norway has contributed approximately 13.7 billion Norwegian kroner to Ukraine’s energy sector. Norwegian support has primarily focused on:
- Securing gas resources for electricity supply and heating
- Rapidly rebuilding Ukraine’s electricity supply
- Contributing to less centralized energy infrastructure
- Increased focus on renewable energy such as solar and wind power
- Strengthened nuclear safety
Support is provided according to Ukraine’s reported needs.
Most of the support is managed by Norad through the Nansen Programme for Ukraine. The support is delivered via major international organizations and banks such as the UN, World Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), and Energy Community.
Norway sets high standards for partners, who must demonstrate proven delivery capacity and reliable control systems.
Read more about the Nansen Programme here: The Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine | Norad.no