Ukraine is entering a new stage of economic development. If the last few years were a period of business adaptation to military challenges, today a new agenda is being formed, namely, large-scale attraction of international investments in the country's recovery. These are the topics that became central during the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2026, which took place in Gdansk and brought together more than 7,500 participants from all over the world: representatives of governments, international financial institutions, investors, development banks, manufacturing companies and businesses.
According to the results of the conference, more than 160 international agreements worth more than 10 billion euros were announced, which confirms that the process of Ukraine's recovery has already entered a practical phase.
ETL Group CEO Denis Kosoy took part in the conference and held a number of meetings with international partners. Based on the results of URC 2026, the company identified several strategic conclusions that, in our opinion, will determine the development of Ukrainian business in the coming years.
1. Ukraine is entering the largest investment cycle in modern history
URC 2026 demonstrated a major change, namely, the world is moving from discussions about helping Ukraine to systemic investments in its economy. The European Union, international development banks, export credit agencies and private investors are forming new financial programs for the development of infrastructure, industry and energy. However, competition for this capital will be high.
Today, financing is received not only by promising ideas, but primarily by ready-to-implement ("bankable") projects that meet international standards, have a transparent financial model, technical justification and projected payback. That is why Ukrainian business is increasingly investing in modern solar power plants (SPPs), energy storage systems (ESS/BESS) and comprehensive solutions to improve energy efficiency.
2. Renewable energy and ESS remain the main direction of investment
One of the most obvious conclusions of URC 2026 was that renewable energy remains among the key priorities of international investors. Practically all discussions on the development of the Ukrainian energy sector were focused on several areas:
- solar power plants;
- energy storage systems (ESS/BESS);
- distributed generation;
- digital energy management systems;
- modernization of critical infrastructure.
Companies no longer consider solar power plants just as a way to reduce electricity bills. They become part of a long-term energy strategy of the enterprise, ensuring cost predictability, production continuity and competitiveness.
Energy storage systems (ESS) are becoming even more relevant, which allow using their own generation as efficiently as possible, providing backup power and optimizing energy consumption.
3. Ukrainian business is integrating into the European economy
URC 2026 once again confirmed that Ukraine is becoming an integral part of the European economic space. And these are new opportunities and new requirements for Ukrainian companies. European partners are increasingly paying attention to:
- compliance with ESG principles;
- energy efficiency of production;
- decarbonization;
- transparency of corporate governance;
- use of modern technologies;
- compliance with international standards.
That is why investments in solar power plants, energy storage systems, digital energy solutions and enterprise modernization are becoming not only economically feasible, but also necessary for Ukrainian businesses to enter European markets.
4. The winners will not be the largest companies, but those who act faster than the market.
One of the most important signals of the conference is that the window of opportunity is already open. New investment programs, international partnerships, grants and infrastructure projects are already being distributed. In the coming years, the competitive advantage will not be the size of the company, but the speed of decision-making.
Right now, business is forming projects that will receive funding in 2026–2028. And enterprises already need to:
- develop an energy strategy;
- prepare feasibility studies;
- implement solar power plant and ESS projects;
- modernize production in accordance with the requirements of international partners.
5. Energy becomes part of the enterprise's business model
A few years ago, energy was perceived as an auxiliary function of the enterprise. Today, the situation has changed dramatically.
At URC 2026, almost all successful cases demonstrated the same approach: energy is integrated directly into production, logistics, infrastructure and operational activities of companies.
This approach to allows businesses not only to reduce electricity costs, but also to increase operational sustainability, reduce downtime risks and create a predictable development model.
The main conclusion of the conference is that Ukraine is moving from the recovery stage to the stage of large-scale investments. International capital has already defined its priorities - renewable energy, energy storage systems, energy efficiency, industrial modernization and integration of Ukrainian business into the European economy.
Investments in its own energy infrastructure are no longer just a way to reduce costs, but are becoming a strategic asset that increases the company's investment attractiveness, ensures stability of work and opens access to new international opportunities.
That is why at ETL Group we consider solar power plants, energy storage systems (ESS/BESS) and integrated energy solutions not as separate technologies, but as the basis of a modern energy business strategy.
