Naftogaz Secures €23 Million Grant for Peak Gas Imports
Naftogaz has signed a grant agreement with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development for €23 million provided by the Dutch government. The funds will finance additional natural gas purchases for peak demand during the heating season, adding resilience to Ukraine's energy system.
Key points
- The €23 million grant comes from the Dutch government and is administered through the EBRD.
- Naftogaz will use the funds to purchase additional gas for periods of peak consumption.
- Ukraine's underground storage held 15.9 billion cubic metres of gas at the end of the first week of November, including 4.6 billion cubic metres of buffer gas.
- Stored gas volumes were 20%, or 2.6 billion cubic metres, higher than at the same point in 2025.
- The gas withdrawal season began on October 29, with consumption at around 55 million cubic metres per day.
- Naftogaz and Poland's ORLEN signed two memoranda in September on energy security and diversifying energy supply routes.
- The EBRD provided Naftogaz with two loans worth €770 million in 2025, each accompanied by a Norwegian grant.
Why it matters
Additional gas imports are expected to strengthen the energy system during periods of high consumption and provide greater winter resilience. The grant is part of the Dutch government's systematic support for Ukraine's energy sector and builds on previous EBRD financing and assistance from other states for gas reserves.
What happened
Naftogaz signed a grant agreement with the EBRD for €23 million provided by the Dutch government. The money is earmarked for buying additional gas during peak demand periods in the heating season. The agreement extends the EBRD's previous support for Ukraine's gas reserves and forms part of a broader Dutch assistance package for the country's energy sector.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
Ukrainian reporting focuses on the grant's purpose, the signing of the agreement and its practical role in securing gas for peak demand. The agreement is presented as part of measures to ensure the reliability of the heating season, strengthen storage reserves and diversify energy supply routes.
Background
Ukraine entered the heating season with sufficient gas reserves and began withdrawing gas from underground storage on October 29. By the end of the first week of November, storage contained 15.9 billion cubic metres, including 4.6 billion cubic metres of buffer gas. This was 20%, or 2.6 billion cubic metres, higher than a year earlier and the highest level at the start of the withdrawal season in three years. Gas consumption stood at about 55 million cubic metres per day, while strikes on industry and the disruption of maritime exports constrained demand. Separately, the Dutch government has allocated €1.2 billion in non-military aid to Ukraine over the next three years, while Slovakia said it would provide €1 million for generators, shelters and medical equipment.