Energy crisis in Ukraine – the first diesel generators from Switzerland have been delivered to Kyiv
Bern, 04.03.2026 — The first of around 70 diesel generators to be supplied by the Swiss Confederation in response to the worst energy crisis since the start of the conflict have arrived in Kyiv. Jean-Luc Bernasconi, head of international cooperation at the Swiss embassy in Kyiv, attended a ceremony on 4 March 2026 at which the generators – which will be used in various locations where energy infrastructure has been destroyed or damaged – were officially handed over to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SESU). The generators provided by Switzerland are part of the Federal Council's aid package, adopted on 11 February 2026, on the supply of urgently needed energy goods to Ukraine. Further deliveries will continue to be made on an ongoing basis.
A first batch of 17 generators and several mobile heating units were handed over to the SESU at a ceremony in the premises of the Kyiv Oblast SESU facilities. “These generators will be deployed by our trusted partner SESU where they are most urgently needed,” indicated Jean-Luc Bernasconi, deputy head of the Swiss embassy in Kyiv. “In total, the deliveries under this emergency package will benefit several hundred thousand people. This allows us to provide targeted aid and ensure our support makes a difference for the Ukrainian people,” added Bernasconi, who is also head of international cooperation at the embassy.
Roman Prymush, deputy head of the SESU, thanked Switzerland for its rapid support in tackling the energy crisis, which followed a request by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Guy Parmelin, President of the Swiss Confederation, and Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis in January at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
The SESU is taking delivery of some of the generators and gas-powered heating systems, while other, large scale gas-powered generators supplied by Switzerland will be used for urgent requirements of by heating and power plants throughout the country, under the coordination of the Ukrainian ministry of development of communities and territories. The SESU was in constant contact with the Swiss embassy in Kyiv before and during the delivery of the aid.
The supplies are part of the Federal Council's aid package
The Federal Council approved the aid package to provide urgently needed energy goods to Ukraine on 11 February 2026. In addition to around 70 diesel generators with different levels of output, this package also includes 18 gas-powered electricity units which will be delivered to district heating system operators in four large cities severely hit by the energy crisis.
Work to load the diesel generators procured from Swiss companies onto heavy goods vehicles, gradually departing Switzerland since February 20. The deliveries have been arriving in Ukraine since 24 February on an ongoing basis. All the diesel generators are scheduled to arrive in Ukraine by the end of March. The larger 18 gas-powered electricity units f will follow sequentially as they require significant preparation work at their final destination to ensure their effective operation.
The process of delivery of the aid package is being led by Jacques Gerber, the Federal Council's Delegate for Ukraine. The total funding of CHF 32 million required for the procurement of the equipment, transport and coordination will come from the budget of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) as part of the Ukraine Country Programme. The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) is managing the organisational and logistical aspects of the project.
The Swiss Confederation has contributed just under CHF 900 million to international cooperation for Ukraine since the war began in February 2022.
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