Ukraine’s energy infrastruct has been destroyed as a result of Russia’s attacks, leaving nine million Ukrainians without power at the end of December, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Now a new rescEU energy hub in Poland is set to help Ukrainians by supplying a total of 1,000 new generators, the EU Commission reports in a newsletter.

With EUR 114m in funding from the EU, the project’s primary aim is to procure generators.

In addition to the support from the EU, international partners and private sectors are also invited to contribute with donations to the hub.

The rescEU unit is part of the EU’s Civil Protection Mechanism, which also provides medical evacuation planes, field hospitals and medicine stockpiles.

The rescEU aid has flowed into Ukraine since the beginning of the war, and now the unit is in for an upgrade with energy aid from Poland. 

EU Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič gave thanks to Poland for taking the lead on the project.

”By opening the new rescEU energy hub 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 one 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,” said Lenarčič.

The generators being dispatched range from smaller units that can be used in households to larger models suited for public buildings such as hospitals and central heating facilities.