DTEK Renewables, part of our energy company DTEK, built more new wind generation capacity than any other company in Ukraine in the first half of 2026: 228 MW. Its next major project is the 650 MW Poltavska Wind Farm, a €1.2 billion project with construction planned to start in 2027. In an interview with Forbes Ukraine, CEO Oleksandr Selyshchev explained why wind is the company's main focus. Wind farms produce more electricity per megawatt than solar plants, and they are harder for russia to attack.
What has DTEK Renewables achieved in 2026?
DTEK Renewables built 228 MW of new wind generation capacity in the first half of 2026, more than any other company in Ukraine. This comes in what could be a record year for the sector. The Ukrainian Wind Energy Association forecasts that 765 MW of wind turbines will be connected to the grid in 2026, and 1,424 MW in 2027.
What is the Poltavska Wind Farm?
The Poltavska Wind Farm is a planned 650 MW wind project and the main focus of DTEK Renewables. The total project cost is €1.2 billion. The project is in the final stage of development, all land plots for the turbines have been secured, and construction is planned to start in 2027. The company works closely with local communities, as it did at its Tyligulska Wind Farm, including through five-year social responsibility plans.
Why is wind the leading renewable technology in Ukraine?
Wind leads because of its high capacity factor. Capacity factor is the share of a power plant's maximum possible output that it actually produces over a year. According to Mr Selyshchev, wind farms reach 40%, while solar plants reach up to 20%. In practice, each megawatt of wind capacity produces about twice as much electricity as a megawatt of solar. Wind turbines can generate power by day and by night, while solar panels only work in daylight.
"Wind is the most efficient form of generation," said Mr Selyshchev. "Wind is the most promising area for Ukraine."
How do wind farms help protect Ukraine's energy system from russian attacks?
Wind farms are spread out over a wide area, which makes them harder for russia to disable. A wind farm is made up of many turbines standing far apart, so a single strike is unlikely to stop the whole site. DTEK Renewables adds further protection. In new projects, it places key equipment and control rooms underground. Above-ground facilities are protected with stone-filled barriers, shelters, anti-drone nets and metal structures.
How does this fit into DTEK's wider strategy?
Wind generation is central to DTEK's plans for Ukraine. DTEK Renewables also builds projects in Europe for clients, including solar plants in Romania, energy storage systems in Poland and a planned wind project in Croatia. It then applies this experience to its projects in Ukraine. Building clean and resilient power in Ukraine during the war reflects the strategy of our shareholder Rinat Akhmetov.
