Dr. Oleksandr Diachuk
Institute for Economics and Forecasting of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine
Regional energy modeling for post-war recovery in Ukraine.
Oleksandr Diachuk — PhD in Technical Sciences, Leading Researcher at the Institute for Economics and Forecasting of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (IEF NASU), with over 18 years of experience in analysis, modeling, and strategic planning for sustainable development, transition to renewable energy, and achieving climate neutrality of economies at national, community, and city levels. He is an international expert in energy and climate through his participation in EU, USA (USAID, Net Zero World), UN, WB, EnC, EBRD, DEA, IKI/GIZ, and other projects. Together with colleagues, Oleksandr has developed and implemented original methodologies and mathematical models for preparing energy and climate plans and strategies adopted by the Government of Ukraine (NEEAP, NREAP, NECP, NDC, LCDS, etc.). He is one of the developers of the national energy-economic model TIMES-Ukraine and the municipal model TIMES-Zhytomyr. Dr. Diachuk is a member of international Energy Community working groups, as well as national academic and governmental working groups in Ukraine.
During the discussion, Oleksandr Diachuk presented methodological aspects and results of energy modeling for low-carbon and climate-neutral pathways for post-war recovery in Ukraine using the TIMES-Ukraine model, which is the most widely used tool for preparing government strategic documents in the energy and climate field. The presentation included scenarios and modeling outcomes that played a key role in preparing strategies and plans adopted by the Ukrainian government both before the full-scale Russian invasion and during martial law, with a focus on Ukraine’s European integration and post-war reconstruction of the economy and energy sector in the context of climate change challenges. The seminar also covered the most significant strategic documents based on scenario analysis using the TIMES-Ukraine model, such as: National Energy Efficiency Action Plans (NEEAP) and Renewable Energy Action Plans (NREAP), Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) under the Paris Agreement, National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP), Low-Carbon Development Strategy until 2050 (LCDS), Building Thermo-modernization Strategy until 2050, and other studies of IEF NASU in cooperation with international and foreign partners. Special attention was also given to the openness and transparency of the modeling process and discussion of scenario results, particularly through the use of the VEDA Online platform.