On May 13, 2026, the Solar Energy Association of Ukraine (SEAU), together with PremierEXPO, held the Solar. BESS. Grid Forum – a large-scale industry forum dedicated to the practical aspects of the development of solar generation, energy storage systems (BESS/BESS), and modern energy infrastructure in Ukraine.
The event took place within the framework of the international exhibition and conference UA Energy in Kyiv and brought together representatives of the public sector, businesses, investors, the banking sector, developers, equipment manufacturers, and the expert community to discuss the key challenges and opportunities of Ukraine’s energy market.
The forum’s General Partner was Huawei Ukraine.
The event’s Strategic Partners were Sigenergy, KNESS, and EDS.
SEAU sincerely thanks the forum partners for supporting the event, providing professional expertise, demonstrating openness to cooperation, and contributing to the development of modern energy solutions in Ukraine.
The Solar. BESS. Grid Forum became a platform for professional dialogue on:
- the development of solar generation;
- the implementation of energy storage systems;
- the operation of the electricity market;
- financing of energy projects;
- integration of distributed generation;
- energy flexibility and balancing generation;
- practical case studies of implementing solar and BESS projects for businesses, communities, and critical infrastructure.
The forum was opened by Olena Kononenko, Director of the UA Energy exhibition-conference and Head of the ReBuild Ukraine project, together with Vladyslav Sokolovskyi, Chairman of the Board of SEAU.
In their welcoming remarks, the speakers emphasized that today the development of distributed generation and energy storage systems is not only a matter of energy efficiency, but also one of the key factors of Ukraine’s energy resilience and security.
During the first special interview, Vladyslav Sokolovskyi spoke with Roman Ilyk, Director of the Zhytomyrvodokanal municipal enterprise, about the practical experience of implementing distributed generation at critical infrastructure facilities.
During the discussion, participants talked about how local generation and ESS solutions enable critical infrastructure enterprises to ensure stable operation even under energy risks and power system constraints. Roman Ilyk stressed that for municipal enterprises, the development of their own solar generation is primarily a matter of uninterrupted operation of critical infrastructure and reducing dependence on the centralized power grid.
Panel 1 of the forum, “Construction of Solar Power Plants: Modern Technical, Financial and Legal Solutions”, moderated by Vladyslav Sokolovskyi, focused on practical mechanisms for implementing solar generation and ESS projects.
Ivan Balytskyi, Head of the SEAU Legal Committee, presented current legal instruments for implementing solar projects and emphasized the importance of a stable regulatory environment for market development. The speaker noted that Ukrainian legislation already offers several project implementation models – from self-consumption and Net Billing to full participation in the wholesale electricity market.
Oleh Tarasiuk, Member of the Management Board of the Decarbonization Fund of Ukraine JSC, spoke about financing opportunities for energy efficiency projects and the role of financial mechanisms in stimulating energy modernization. Participants also separately discussed preferential financing opportunities for solar and ESS projects for businesses, communities, and municipal enterprises.
Kostiantyn Hura, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Ukraine2Power, presented practical case studies of distributed generation projects for communities financed through grant funding and emphasized the importance of international support for strengthening regional energy resilience.
Maksym Babaiev, Energy Project Development Manager at Vitagro Group, shared the company’s experience in scaling operating solar power plants in the agricultural sector. According to him, the combination of solar power plants and energy storage systems enables agricultural enterprises not only to reduce electricity costs, but also to achieve energy autonomy and minimize the use of diesel generation.
Yevhen Kulikov, Head of Corporate Business at PrivatBank, presented banking instruments for financing solar projects and emphasized the growing business demand for energy independence solutions.
During the second special interview, moderator Oleksandr Havva, Acting CEO of Market Operator JSC, spoke with Oleksandr Aliokhin, Head of Digital Power at Huawei Ukraine. The discussion focused on implemented non-standard solar + BESS solutions for businesses, technical features of ESS integration, and Huawei’s practical case studies in Ukraine. Special attention was paid to issues of energy flexibility, the efficiency of BESS solutions, and the role of digital technologies in the development of modern energy systems.
Following the special interview, Mr. Havva moderated Panel 2 of the forum, “BESS – A Strategic Investment in Energy Security and Autonomy”, dedicated to the new economics of flexibility and modern solutions for business energy independence.
Within the panel, speakers focused on practical aspects of the development of solar generation, energy storage systems, and a new model of Ukraine’s energy architecture, where solar power plants, BESS, digital solutions, and the electricity market function as a single integrated system.
Forum participants emphasized that Ukraine’s energy sector is rapidly transitioning toward a model of distributed generation and flexible energy systems. Particular attention was paid to the fact that the combination of solar generation and energy storage systems already enables businesses not only to reduce electricity costs, but also to build energy autonomy, provide backup power supply, and create new mechanisms for monetizing energy assets.
Tetiana Petrovska, Head of Marketing at KNESS Group, spoke about the role of ESS as a tool for local energy systems, controllability, and power system resilience.
“Today, ESS is no longer an additional solution, but an important element of the modern energy architecture,” emphasized Tetiana Petrovska.
Illia Chaban, Director of the Energy Division at EDS Engineering and Investment Group, presented the concept of Ukrainian flexible energy hubs and prospects for the development of flexible generation.
“The Ukrainian market is rapidly moving toward a model of flexible energy hubs. In conditions of market volatility and electricity shortage risks, investments in solar + ESS are becoming not only economically beneficial, but also critically important for energy resilience,” noted Illia Chaban.
Oleksandr Aliokhin presented Huawei’s experience in integrating energy storage systems and modern solutions for the commercial & industrial segment.
“Today, energy solutions must combine generation, storage, and intelligent management. FusionSolar 9.0 is about building a network for all scenarios and creating a new level of flexibility for businesses and the power system,” emphasized Oleksandr Aliokhin.
Artem Li, Country Director of Sigenergy in Ukraine, presented modern modular energy storage systems and solutions aimed at reducing risks and increasing energy autonomy for enterprises.
“Modern energy storage systems must be not only efficient, but also максимально adaptive. That is why Sigenergy focuses on modularity, intelligent management, and the integration of PV + BESS into a unified energy ecosystem,” noted Artem Li.
After the networking lunch, participants continued their work within Panel 3, “Power Grids: Grid Connection, Trading, and Energy Islands”, dedicated to practical aspects of the electricity market and implementation of energy projects for businesses and critical infrastructure.
The panel was moderated by Volodymyr Yevdokimov, Head of the SEAU Electricity Markets Committee and Doctor of Technical Sciences.
Participants discussed:
- procedures for connecting solar generation facilities to the grid;
- interaction between investors and traders;
- models for implementing on-site generation for commercial real estate;
- installation of solar + ESS systems at critical infrastructure facilities.
Andrii Yushko, Head of Network Development and Grid Connection at DTEK Kyiv Regional Grids, focused in detail on the practical aspects of connecting solar generation facilities to DSO grids, including standard and simplified procedures, as well as the active consumer model. Particular emphasis was placed on the need for high-quality project documentation and effective cooperation between investors and distribution system operators.
Yehor Zakharchenko, D.TRADING, emphasized the importance of effective cooperation between generators and traders to ensure stable operation of projects in the electricity market. Forum participants also stressed that effective cooperation with a trader should begin already at the stage of forming the project’s techno-economic model.
Hanna Pazynych, Director of Epicentr Generation LLC, presented a practical case study of implementing on-site generation for commercial real estate based on the experience of the Epicentr Group.
Pavlo Karas, Director of Cherkasyteplokomunenergo, shared practical experience in implementing ESS at critical infrastructure facilities and discussed the specifics of ensuring energy autonomy for municipal enterprises.
The Solar. BESS. Grid Forum once again confirmed that the Ukrainian solar energy and energy storage market is actively developing, while the professional community is ready to work together to shape a modern, flexible, and resilient energy system for Ukraine.
Throughout the forum, participants had the opportunity not only to join professional discussions, but also to hold dozens of meetings, discuss new projects, financing opportunities, and the future development of Ukraine’s energy sector. 
SEAU thanks all speakers, partners, participants, and friends of the association for the professional dialogue, openness to cooperation, and joint work toward Ukraine’s energy future.
A link to the Solar. BESS. Grid Forum photo report is provided below.
See you at the next SEAU events!
Already on June 19, 2026, the Solar Energy Association of Ukraine, together with ProAgro Group, will hold Solar Agro Conference 2026 – a specialized conference dedicated to the implementation of solar energy and energy storage systems in Ukraine’s agricultural sector.