EU opens new rescEU energy hub in Poland
New rescEU energy hub opens in Poland as logistical centre for delivering emergency energy assistance to Ukraine.
Today, Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, and the Prime Minister of Poland, Mateusz Morawiecki, are visiting the new rescEU energy hub in Poland that will act as a logistical centre for delivering emergency energy assistance to Ukraine. The EU hub will allow international partners and the private sector to help channel their donations, while also fully financing the transport of supplies from the hub to Ukraine.
The hub is being used to deliver power generators to Ukraine, helping the country sustain electricity supply in the midst of Russia’s deliberate attacks on its energy infrastructure.
These EU-channelled generators range from smaller sizes, capable of powering single households, to much larger models suitable for keeping public buildings and vital community services running such as hospitals and central heating points.
The EU has awarded €114 million to Poland for purchasing generators to be part of this rescEU energy reserve. As a first step, 1,000 new generators from the rescEU reserve in Poland will be delivered to Ukraine. This comes on top of the 1,400 generators and millions of energy items already offered via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.
The European Commission created the rescEU reserves in 2019 to offer an additional layer of protection to citizens when disasters strike. It is fully financed by the EU.
By making the new rescEU energy hub open for other donors, we can help boost energy donations for Ukraine in its darkest hour. I want to thank Poland for stepping up and taking the lead. Since day 1 of the war, we have worked hand in hand with the Polish authorities to ensure rapid and organised delivery of life-saving aid from across Europe to Ukraine.
Following the Russian aggression on Ukraine and the immense needs of the Ukrainian people, the EU has deployed assistance from its rescEU stockpiles from various locations across the EU.
In March 2022, the EU created an operational system to channel in-kind donations from the private sector to Ukraine. This rescEU private sector reserve hosted by Belgium has helped to channel medicines, medical supplies and CBRN items to Ukraine.
The rescEU deployments in support of Ukraine are part of the largest ever operation coordinated via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. To date, more than 80 000 tonnes of in-kind assistance has been delivered.
