Joint Kyiv Energy and Climate Lab goes live

Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin and the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy established on 27 November a Joint Energy and Climate Lab.

The Academic Council of the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy approved the establishment of KECLab - the Kyiv Energy and Climate Lab. KECLab is designed to become a modern, internationally connected energy and climate research and education centre at one of Ukraine’s leading universities - a strategic investment in the country’s European integration and long-term recovery.

Over the past three years, the Green Deal Ukraїna project at the Helmholtz Zentrum Berlin, funded by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space, prepared the ground for the formal establishment of KECLab. The Lab will not only institutionalise the cooperation of the Helmholtz Zentrum Berlin (HZB) and the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy (NaUKMA) but also be open to further international partners.

A joint centre for research and education

KECLab will advance research and education, drawing on the combined scientific expertise and academic excellence of NaUKMA and HZB.

On the research side, the Lab will focus on data-driven energy and climate analysis, modelling, market design, energy security, EU integration processes, renewable energy development, climate policy and decarbonisation instruments. These areas reflect Ukraine’s strategic priorities and build directly on the multi-year experience of the Green Deal Ukraїna project in delivering high-quality, evidence-based policy analysis.

In education, KECLab will develop a comprehensive academic track including a Master’s programme in Energy and Climate, a future PhD programme, professional training formats, and capacity-building activities for the public sector and civil society at national and local levels. The Lab aims to become a leading hub for training the next generation of Ukrainian energy and climate experts, supporting the country’s alignment with the EU acquis and strengthening Ukraine’s scientific community. Last but not least, it will deliver a hands-on energy efficiency component for the university buildings.

Prof. Serhiy Kvit, President of NaUKMA

“NaUKMA is the best place in Ukraine to develop a comprehensive ecosystem of independent expertise on energy and climate. This includes establishing a joint research and education centre, as well as launching relevant master’s and PhD programs, in partnership with the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB). We plan to work closely with leading Ukrainian think tanks and other key stakeholders. Our goal is to foster a strong professional expert community in Ukraine and develop high-quality energy and climate policies for the Government of Ukraine”.

Dr. Olha Poliukhovych, Vice President for Research and Academic Affairs at NaUKMA and Dr. Natalia Kobchenko, Head of the Academic and Research Center, NaUKMA

“Leadership is one of NaUKMA’s core values. Kyiv-Mohyla Academy is a leader in innovation; it actively shapes the future of Ukrainian society and the state. The opening of the KECLab is not only the launch of a new element in our university’s research infrastructure, but also a strategic step in implementing a coherent energy policy in Ukraine. The laboratory will become a hub where Ukrainian, German, and Polish researchers, in cooperation with state institutions and entrepreneurs, will work together on Ukraine’s recovery and on securing its place among the leaders of Europe’s green transformation”.

Vladyslav Mikhnych, Director of KECLab, NaUKMA

“Launching the Kyiv Energy and Climate Lab is not just an institutional milestone — it is a commitment to Ukraine’s future. At a time when our energy system is under unprecedented pressure, independent and fact-based research is no longer optional but foundational. We also need a reliable bridge between education, research, and decision-making — one grounded in clear, unbiased evidence that strengthens institutional capacity and elevates the quality of policy choices. The Kyiv Energy and Climate Lab aims to provide that foundation, ensuring Ukraine’s energy and climate transition is strategic, resilient, and aligned with long-term sustainable growth.”

Prof. Dr. Bernd Rech, Scientific Director, HZB

“At HZB, we believe that addressing global challenges such as the energy transition requires partnerships grounded in scientific excellence. The establishment of the Kyiv Energy and Climate Lab is an important milestone. Together with NaUKMA, we are building a long-term platform that will strengthen research capacity in Europe and contribute to sustainable, climate-resilient development, while deepening Germany’s scientific cooperation with Ukraine”.

Dr. Susanne Nies, Project Lead, Green Deal Ukraїna (HZB)

“KECLab puts the goal of the Green Deal Ukraїna project from promise to practice. It brings together the results of two years of intensive analytical work conducted with the support of the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space. The Lab will embed a strong international dimension into its work by engaging leading research organisations and experts from Germany, Ukraine, Poland and across Europe. This cooperation will enhance both the quality and independence of energy and climate analysis in Ukraine, supporting evidence-based policymaking and Ukraine’s future EU membership.”

A strategic asset for Ukraine’s energy and climate transition

With its mandate to support independent analysis, educate future specialists and provide high-quality policy advice, KECLab is designed to become a long-term institutional pillar for Ukraine’s energy and climate transformation. The Lab will contribute to aligning Ukrainian energy and climate governance with EU standards, advance innovation, and strengthen Ukraine’s resilience in wartime and during reconstruction.

HZB, a member of the Helmholtz Association, is one of the world's leading institutions that researches advanced solutions for a climate-neutral society. Renowned globally for pioneering work in developing photovoltaic technology, HZB is also esteemed for its research and expertise in batteries and catalysis research, for example for green hydrogen production. More information: www.helmholtz-berlin.de

NaUKMA, one of Ukraine’s most prestigious research universities, combines a rich historical legacy—dating back to 1615—with a strong academic and research profile. As a research university, it has successful collaborations with leading Ukrainian and European institutions. The overall concept of scientific research at NaUKMA — ‘Ukraine: People, Society, Nature’ — is a comprehensive system of research projects aimed at studying pressing issues in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. As an institution, it plays an active role in Ukraine’s democratic development and European integration efforts.

Green Deal Ukraїna is a four-year project started on 01.06.2023, implemented by HZB and funded by BMFTR. It aims to set up a Kyiv-based energy and climate centre to support Ukrainian governmental institutions, policymakers, experts, and society in making future-proof energy and climate policy decisions ahead of full EU membership. The project is a trilateral collaboration among Germany (HZB), Ukraine (DiXi Group; Ecoaction), and Poland (Forum Energii).