Yuriy Bondarenko: "Technical policy is not about money, but about technologies on which we will develop" 22.06.2026 On June 18, Energy Club, in partnership with Phoenix Contact LLC and Huawei Ukraine, held a forum of technical specialists in Kyiv on networks, distributed generation, renewable energy, BESS, cogeneration, and practical solutions for energy sustainability "From Project to Megawatt: Engineering of New Energy in Ukraine". The event became a practical platform for technical specialists who directly design, build, modernize, and operate energy infrastructure. The discussion focused on practical issues, because for the Ukrainian energy sector today, the issue of restoration and development goes far beyond the construction of new generating capacities. Design quality, network modernization, digitalization, and the ability to integrate distributed generation into a single energy system are becoming no less important. One of the key speakers of the forum was Yuriy Bondarenko - General Director of NTK ENPASELEKTRO LLC, Chairman of the Board of the NGO NTSEU, Chairman of the Technical Committee of UNC CIGRE, First Vice-President of the Association "Hydropower of Ukraine", Honored Power Engineer of Ukraine. In his speech, he focused on the practical aspects of implementing distributed generation projects, the role of networks in the new architecture of the power system and the need to form a state technical policy. From input data to megawatts: how energy projects should be implemented According to Yuriy Bondarenko, there are many discussions around distributed generation today, but any successful project begins not with equipment, but with high-quality preparation. "It all starts with input and output data. No matter what anyone says, sustainability passports can be implemented only when we clearly understand the input data," he emphasized. The speaker drew attention to a typical mistake of recent years, when communities or institutions receive cogeneration plants or generators without proper technical justification. As a result, the equipment often turns out to be excessive in capacity or does not meet the real needs of the facility. According to him, each project should include a comprehensive study of the construction, thermal-mechanical, gas and electrical parts, as well as take into account the issues of operation, service and provision of spare parts. "When they say: "Let's design and build", they often build first, and then start to understand. This is the wrong way", - emphasized Yuriy Bondarenko. Distributed networks and technical policy - the basis of new energy The Honored Power Engineer of Ukraine paid special attention to the role of distribution system operators. In his opinion, it is the development of networks that will be the determining factor in the success of energy transformation. "Distribution networks come first. Without them, all these implementations and the entire development concept are simply impossible", - he noted. Yuriy Bondarenko emphasized that Ukraine still lacks a unified technical policy for the development of networks and energy infrastructure. It should determine what technologies the industry will develop on, how distributed generation will be integrated, and what solutions will be implemented in the regions. At the same time, he warned against excessive enthusiasm for popular terms such as "energy cells", "cells" or "islands" without their clear technical definition. "We must learn to speak the Ukrainian language of engineering. Before embarking on a project, we must clearly analyze the technical documentation and understand what this or that term means," the expert emphasized. Balance between centralized and distributed generation One of the key theses of the speech was the need to maintain a balance between the development of local generation and support for the unified energy system of Ukraine. After large-scale destruction, the country lost a significant part of its generating capacity, but it was the unified energy system that allowed it to go through the most difficult periods. "The main thing is the unified energy system of Ukraine. Nuclear, hydro and thermal power plants remain the basis of its stability and balancing," emphasized the General Director of NTK ENPASELEKTRO LLC. The speaker also supported the active development of energy storage systems and digital technologies for network management. In his opinion, the rapid growth of solar and wind generation is impossible without storage units that help compensate for imbalances in the system. "Balancing is definitely needed. If there is a storage unit, it is right. This should become part of the technical policy," he noted. At the same time, Yuriy Bondarenko emphasized that the future of the Ukrainian energy sector is connected with digital substations, modern dispatching systems and Smart Grid solutions that will allow for the effective management of both large networks and local power plants. Summing up his speech, the Honored Power Engineer of Ukraine emphasized thethe need to create a long-term energy strategy for the state with the involvement of Ukrainian specialists and practitioners. In his opinion, only a combination of a strong unified energy system, modernized networks, distributed generation, energy storage and digital technologies will allow Ukraine to build a sustainable energy sector of the future. "I definitely believe that we will survive. We will win. But for this we need to unite everyone around technologies, professional solutions and a common vision of the development of Ukraine's energy sector," concluded Yuriy Bondarenko.

Phoenix Contact has agreed to sell Perle Systems Ltd. and its subsidiaries to Hitron Technologies Inc. as part of a strategic refocusing on its core businesses. The transaction is subject to foreign direct investment approvals. Perle Systems, headquartered in Ontario, Canada, provides industrial networking solutions including serial-to-Ethernet devices and industrial Ethernet switches for automation, telecommunications, energy and transport sectors. Phoenix Contact acquired the company in 2016 and has supported its technology development and international expansion over the past decade. The acquisition marks Hitron Technologies' first overseas purchase and will strengthen its enterprise and industrial networking capabilities. Phoenix Contact will continue focusing on industrial digitalisation, electrification and automation. Both companies will work together to ensure a smooth transition for employees, partners and customers.