Before the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the volume of generator imports was relatively low. In 2021, about 58 thousand units were imported, with demand mainly focused on powerful generators (over 7-8 kW), primarily used for industrial and commercial purposes.
- Changes in Consumer Demand and Government Policy (2022)
With the start of the war in 2022, the demand for generators sharply increased due to damage to the energy infrastructure. The highest surge in imports was observed in December 2022, when more than 390 thousand generators were imported, several times exceeding the import volume of 2021. In total, 669.4 thousand generators were imported to Ukraine in 2022, 80% of which were gasoline generators with a capacity of up to 7.5 kW.
This significant increase occurred after the Ukrainian government introduced preferential conditions for importing generators, including exemptions from VAT and customs duties on such goods. The preferential regime was introduced at the end of November and became the main driver of the surge in imports. This was made possible by the government’s efforts to ensure the energy security of the population during the winter.
- Legislative Changes (2023-2024)
In 2023, the delivery of generators to Ukraine remained high. Around 354 thousand units were imported, showing stable demand, though it slightly decreased compared to the peak levels of 2022. The majority of generators still had a capacity of up to 7.5 kW and were used to provide electricity to private homes and small businesses.
On May 1, 2023, the laws granting exemptions from taxes and import duties for generators and Starlink satellite communication systems were suspended in Ukraine. This decision slightly affected the pace of generator imports in 2023, but demand remained consistently high.
In 2024, statistics show about the same number of imported generators as in 2023, indicating that Ukrainians are still actively securing autonomous energy sources in case of power supply disruptions.
On July 27, 2024, the law signed by President Volodymyr Zelensky reintroducing duty- and tax-free imports of such equipment came into force. The laws will take effect in about a month, likely boosting generator imports again, particularly in preparation for the winter period.