According to the State Agency for Energy Efficiency and Conservation forecasts, the combined installed capacity of wind and solar power plants in Ukraine could increase by 600 MW in 2012 with the construction of new facilities.

Agency head Mr Nikolai Pashkevich said at a round table on energy strategy that "Two sectors solar and wind power will develop rapidly in Ukraine. This is consistent with global trends. We expect capacity growth in 2012 as stated by investors of about 300 MW for wind power stations and about the same amount for solar power."

He said the installed capacity of power plants using renewable energy sources doubled in 2011, and production of electricity increased to 330 million kWh from 240 million kWh a year earlier.

The agency's deputy head, Mr Sergei Dubovik citing the National Energy Regulation Commission said that installed capacity of power generating companies operating under the "green" tariff increased to nearly 400 MW in 2011 from 155 MW a year earlier.

Mr Pashkevich said renewable energy in Ukraine is developing more rapidly than in any other European country. He said that "If we maintain this pace, then according to optimistic estimates by 2020 we will reach current European indicators and that is a 12% share of electricity from renewable sources in the total energy balance."

(Sourced from www.electroiq.com)