LCF Law Group at WindEurope Annual Event 2026: Workforce Capacity as an Investment Risk Factor for Wind Projects
At the WindEurope Annual Event 2026 in Madrid, industry experts discussed workforce readiness in the wind sector as a key challenge to scaling renewable energy in Ukraine. On 21 April 2026, the conference hosted the panel discussion “Human Resources – The Key to Renewables Expansion in Ukraine”, focused on the role of human capital in the growth of the renewables market.
The session was moderated by Ivan Bondarchuk, Partner at LCF Law Group, Head of Energy & Projects, and First Deputy Chairman of the Board of the Ukrainian Wind Energy Association. The panel brought together representatives of developers, international equipment manufacturers and talent development experts, all members of the UWEA community.
According to Alina Shyshkina (Energy Trade Group), Ukraine currently maintains a sufficient baseline construction workforce for small- and mid-sized projects up to 100 MW. However, the market is already facing a shortage of specialists in more technical areas, particularly engineering, electrical works, commissioning and wind farm operations. As a result, developers and investors increasingly treat access to qualified personnel as a standalone risk factor when assessing investments and moving towards a Final Investment Decision (FID).
Olena Umanets (Navitas Renewables Ukraine) noted that the renewables market in Ukraine now needs larger local teams to support upcoming projects, including those starting construction from 2027. She emphasized that qualifications and hands-on experience remain critical, directly impacting project quality and timelines. Expanding domestic training and workforce development should be a market priority.
Anzhela Pradun (Vestas) emphasized that contractor certification and extended warranty or service obligations are essential for risk management and quality assurance. Local companies must meet technical and safety standards, complete certified training, demonstrate relevant experience, maintain strong HSE procedures, and undergo regular audits. When these requirements are met, Vestas is open to certifying and collaborating with local contractors.
The panel also noted that local contractors face similar challenges as OEM manufacturers, especially in attracting and retaining skilled workers. Therefore, workforce development should be a shared responsibility across the sector. Effective solutions require coordination among manufacturers, developers, contractors, educational institutions, NGOs, and industry associations, with a focus on student training and reskilling professionals entering the sector.
Panel participants emphasized Ukraine’s strong human capital: motivated, educated, and resilient professionals who can drive sector growth if stakeholders coordinate their efforts. Vestas and the Ukrainian Wind Energy Association are already implementing educational initiatives, such as a recent workshop for lecturers from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering at a university in Ternopil.
In closing, Ivan Bondarchuk stated that renewable energy growth in Ukraine now depends as much on high-quality human capital as on finance or regulation. He observed that limited skilled labor is already affecting project timelines and economics, and should be recognized as a genuine investment risk. Addressing this will require coordinated, long-term efforts in training, workforce development, and reskilling.
Other news
