Sweden has contributed over €124 million to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund ahead of winter
This was announced by Ukraine’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy, Denys Shmyhal. The Swedish government had also previously announced a new package of energy support for Ukraine.
Sweden’s new contribution amounts to 1.37 billion Swedish kronor, or 124.1 million euros. The funds were channelled through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).
According to the Ministry of Energy, Sweden’s total contribution to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund has now exceeded 386 million euros. In total, the fund has already received grant funding of almost 1.94 billion euros from 39 foreign donors across 26 partner countries and three international organisations.
Sweden’s latest contribution has proved particularly important in the run-up to the heating season. Prior to this, the fund faced a funding shortfall of 663 million euros. Following Sweden’s contribution, the shortfall has narrowed, but the needs of Ukraine’s energy sector remain substantial.
What the money will be used for
Funds from the Ukraine Energy Support Fund are used to purchase critical equipment, spare parts, fuel and services required to repair and restore energy infrastructure.
In essence, this refers to equipment without which energy companies will be unable to quickly restore electricity and heating supplies following Russian attacks. This includes transformers, generators, components, repair materials and other technical equipment.
Shmyhal stated that contributions from partners are one of the key tools for strengthening Ukraine’s energy resilience and preparing for the next heating season. Ukraine expects international donors to continue supporting the energy sector through this fund.
What Sweden announced
On 25 June, the Swedish government announced a new support package for Ukraine’s energy sector worth approximately 1.5 billion Swedish kronor in 2026. Of this amount, 1.37 billion kronor was earmarked specifically for the Ukraine Energy Support Fund, a further 100 million kronor for the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency, and 20 million kronor for the IAEA.
Officials in Stockholm explained that the funds are intended to help Ukraine prepare for winter following Russian attacks on the power grid and power stations. This includes repairs, the installation of new energy capacity, material support and the strengthening of nuclear safety.
Sweden’s Minister for International Development, Benjamin Dusa, stated that Russia is attempting to undermine Ukraine’s resilience by targeting its energy infrastructure, and that last winter was particularly harsh due to large-scale attacks that left millions of people without electricity, heating or water.
Why this matters
Russia is systematically attacking Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, particularly ahead of the cold season and during winter. As a result, Ukraine requires not only ongoing repairs but also equipment stocks, reserve capacity and rapid access to funding.
The Ukraine Energy Support Fund was established in agreement with the European Commission and the Ukrainian Ministry of Energy. It is administered by the Energy Community Secretariat.
Through this mechanism, governments, international financial institutions, organisations and corporate donors can fund the most urgent needs of Ukrainian energy companies. The main aim is to restore damaged facilities more quickly and prevent prolonged disruptions to electricity and heat supplies.
How much more is needed
The European Commission, the Ukrainian Ministry of Energy and the Energy Community Secretariat had previously called on donors to mobilise an additional €650 million to prepare Ukraine’s energy sector for the winter of 2026/2027.
The European Commission noted that all available resources from the fund had already been fully committed in line with Ukraine’s priorities. Without new contributions, the implementation of additional projects would be impossible.
Sweden’s new contribution partially covers this shortfall, but does not resolve the problem entirely. This is precisely why Ukraine continues to ask its partners to fund the procurement of equipment before the cold weather sets in, rather than after further large-scale attacks.
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