On Thursday 4 September 2025, the Arup offices on Fitzroy Street, London, hosted a timely and strategic event: the UK-Ukraine Energy Roadshow. Organised by Arup, DiXi Group, the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), the event aimed to spotlight investment opportunities in Ukraine’s energy sector; opportunities that are not only vital to the country’s reconstruction but also central to its long-term climate ambitions.
The event was designed to be inclusive, featuring networking sessions, keynote speeches, and panel discussions. It brought together British and Ukrainian businesses, government officials, and early-stage innovators. Notable speakers included Deputy Minister of Economy Andriy Teliupa and UK MP and trade envoy to Ukraine Alex Sobel, along with representatives from InnovateUkraine and several of its funded projects.
Ukraine’s National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) to 2030 is a bold and urgent roadmap, drafted in the midst of war and shaped by necessity. It outlines strategic goals for sustainable development and EU integration, including:
The NECP also prioritises decentralised energy generation, energy efficiency, and innovation in clean technologies. It is, in essence, a blueprint for Ukraine’s green recovery, one that cannot succeed without international support.
At the heart of the UK’s contribution is InnovateUkraine, the UK government’s flagship energy innovation programme. Designed to support Ukraine’s recovery, the programme funds organisations developing clean technologies aligned with NECP priorities.
InnovateUkraine is already delivering results. Its projects, ranging from biomethane and geothermal to energy efficiency, are being demonstrated in real-world settings. These are not speculative pilots; they are scalable solutions with relevance far beyond Ukraine’s borders.
The programme’s approach is rigorous. Projects undergo government-backed assessment and due diligence, and grant funding supports development through the riskiest stages. By the time investors are called upon, the innovations are de-risked and ready for commercialisation.
The event’s core message was clear: the time to invest in Ukraine’s energy sector is now. the roadshow succeeded in building market confidence and encouraging UK investors to engage.
Feedback from stakeholders was overwhelmingly positive. Attendees valued the opportunity to engage directly with senior Ukrainian officials and to share best practice with early movers in the InnovateUkraine programme.
Technologies generating interest included wind, biomethane, geothermal, and energy efficiency, underscoring the breadth of opportunity and the scale of Ukraine’s energy needs.
Ukraine’s energy transition is not just a domestic concern. The innovations being developed solve challenges that are also relevant to the UK and Europe. For investors, this is a chance to participate in a large, accessible, and emerging market – one backed by government support and driven by urgent need.
the structure of InnovateUkraine itself offers a compelling proposition: high-quality projects, thoroughly assessed, and ready to scale.
The next major milestone is the Rebuild Ukraine Conference in Warsaw this November. InnovateUkraine will bring projects and investors together to explore how innovation competitions can translate into marketable products for Ukraine’s recovery.
There is no confirmation yet of a third round of InnovateUkraine funding, but stakeholders are encouraged to stay engaged via the programme’s website and media channels.
The Roadshow also reaffirmed the broader UK-Ukraine energy partnership, part of the 100-Year Agreement between the two nations. Thematic areas include:
In this context, the Roadshow was not just an event, it was a statement of intent. A commitment to cooperation, knowledge sharing, and mutual benefit.
Ukraine’s energy future is being shaped now, in boardrooms, labs, and conference halls. The UK-Ukraine Energy Roadshow was a reminder that recovery is not just about rebuilding what was lost, but about creating something better. For investors, innovators, and policymakers alike, the message is simple: get involved.
