Spatial Dimension of Functioning and Development of the Renewable Energy Sector in Ukraine

The purpose of this work is the evaluation of the level of development of renewable energy industry in Ukraine, with special emphasis on the spatial dimension of its functioning. The authors inquired, among others, the issues of spatial structure of the estimated RES (renewable energy sources) technical potential, spatial diversification of energy production based on renewable sources and policy of supporting investments in renewable energy, and popularising knowledge about RES in Ukraine. The research material comes from available analytical reports, yearbooks and statistical studies published by specialist governmental and international agencies as well as scientific institutions. Primary data were analysed using basic tools of descriptive statistics and spatial analysis methods. As it results from the conducted research, the significance of renewable energy in Ukraine's energy mix is still negligible. It applies to exploiting the technical potential, the installed power (capacity) and the participation in the structure of the energy production. The spatial distribution of energy production from renewable sources shows a significant diversity as a consequence of the diversification of its potential. In Ukraine, the availability of sources of finances is a substantial condition for further development of renewable energy industry. Unfortunately, national institutional support, including financial one for this type of investment, is very limited in terms of scale, form and location, as well as funding time.