DTEK plans 650MW wind farm to boost energy resilience

Ukrainian energy company DTEK has announced plans to build a 650MW wind farm in Poltavska, central Ukraine.

The farm, which will comprise up to 100 turbines, will require an investment of €1.2 billion ($1.4 billion).

According to DTEK, projects such as this help to decentralise and strengthen the energy system, as well as replace generation capacity lost as the result of Russian attacks on thermal power infrastructure.

DTEK Chief Executive Officer, Maxim Timchenko, commented: “Even in the face of constant attacks, we are restoring capacity, scaling renewable generation, and modernising grids, because a resilient energy system is the foundation of Ukraine’s survival and future prosperity.”

He added: “With the full support of our shareholder, Rinat Akhmetov, we continue to invest during wartime, sending a clear signal: Ukraine remains attractive for investment today, and international partners have a real opportunity to help build a modern, European energy system.”

During the war thus far, DTEK has commissioned 114MW of new wind capacity at the Tyligulska wind farm in southern Ukraine and is currently building an additional 384MW. The company has also launched a 200MW energy storage system

Wind as a means to boost resilience

The latest report released by the Global Wind Energy Council points to wind energy as a critical tool to increase resilience in the face of energy crises.

The report highlights that “around three-quarters of the world’s population live in countries that are net importers of fossil fuels.” This exposes them to market volatility and supply disruptions.

Recent events, says the report, including attacks on energy infrastructure in Ukraine and Iran, the US seizure of oil tankers linked to Venezuela, and the disruption affecting the Strait of Hormuz, have made the pursuit of energy security more acute.

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Wind energy provides an indigenous, reliable, and clean solution that can enhance energy security.

Ben Backwell, CEO of GWEC, said: “At a time when skyrocketing oil and gas prices and supply shocks are once again causing disruption to economies around the world, the wind sector has demonstrated its ability to scale at speed.

“Accelerated growth led by Asia is enabling the rapid transition of fast-growing energy markets to electro-state economies, and showing that, where wind is built at scale, it can successfully compete with all alternatives, from coal to nuclear.”

Record wind capacity was added in 2025 showing that the mature technology is established as a cornerstone of the energy system. And in Europe specifically, the report found that total installed wind power capacity passed the 300GW threshold.

However, while this progress bodes well, Backwell warned against hurdles blocking project development.

"Bureaucratic red tape and slow roll-out of grids is stopping badly needed projects from being built in many areas of the world. However, by acting decisively to address the blockages, policymakers can quickly access a huge pipeline of ready to invest projects,” concluded Backwell.