EU opens new rescEU energy hub in Poland

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.

Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič said: “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.”

Background

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. 

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. The assistance delivered vital aid such as medicines, medical supplies, temporary shelter units, power generators, and specialised equipment to respond to chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) incidents.

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.

To support donations from the energy sector and international partners, the EU strengthened its private sector scheme by opening a new hub in Poland. Private entities and third parties that wish to donate can fill in this form or contact the European Commission via email: ECHO-DONATIONSec [dot] europa [dot] eu (ECHO-DONATIONS[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu) 

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, including ambulances, school buses, fire engines, mobile hospitals, food supplies, and medicines. The Mechanism is providing support for offers of assistance from EU Member States and its Participating States as well as private companies in cooperation with the Energy Community Secretariat (ECS).