Alex Cornell du Houx, former Maine State Representative, Marine combat veteran, President of the Elected Officials to Protect America (EOPA), and Co-Founder speaking on the Powering Ukraine: The Private Sector at the Heart of the Energy Transition panel at COP30.
At COP30 Dignitaries talk about how Ukraine is powering its country with clean energy now and what is needed for the future
November 12, 2025
Belém, Brazil. On November 11, at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belém, Brazil, a critical discussion took place during the Powering Ukraine: The Private Sector at the Heart of the Energy Transition panel, at the Ukrainian pavilion.
Even though Ukraine is a country at war defending their democracy against Putin’s Russian invasion, the country has been advancing their path of sustainable development and clean energy solutions.
“The war in Ukraine is a clear warning to the world, illustrating how the dependence on fossil fuels is destroying lands and harms or security. Alternatively, distributed clean energy is secure, less expensive, and creates prosperity,” said Alex Cornell du Houx, former Maine State Representative, Marine combat veteran, President of the Elected Officials to Protect America (EOPA), and Co-Founder. “Additionally, distributed clean energy is much more resilient against attacks, as it does not have single points of infrastructure failure. A clean energy future is a secure and prosperous future for Ukraine and the planet.”
Elected Officials to Protect America (EOPA) developed the Energy Security Marshall Plan for Ukraine working with Ukrainians, US elected officials who are veterans and United Kingdom lawmakers. The latter passed the equivalent of an US Congressional resolution in support of the plan.
As Ukraine restores and rebuilds, the country is calling on the private sector to support one of Europe’s most urgent and fastest clean energy transitions. From restoring critical infrastructure to deploying large-scale wind farms, solar arrays and battery storage, businesses have realized that security, recovery and a clean energy transition go hand in hand.
This discussion explored how Ukrainian and international companies are working together to modernize the energy system for a cleaner and more energy secure future. This panel also examined how the lessons from Ukraine’s energy frontline can inspire faster and more resilient transitions globally.
All the speakers were: Jeff Oatham, Chief Sustainability Officer, DTEK, Alex Cornell du Houx, President of Elected Officials to Protect America (E.O.P.A.), Morten Dryholm, Group Senior Vice President, Marketing, Communications, Sustainability and Public Affairs, Vestas Wind Systems, and Andrii Kitura, Head of Green transition office, Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine Tatiana Sakharuck, Director of UNGC was the moderator.
At the Ukrainian pavilion in Belem, Brazil panels of dignitaries have been sharing information on:
- the environmental consequences of the war for forests and biodiversity;
- the development of Ukraine’s climate policy despite immense challenges;
- innovative solutions in energy, reconstruction, and resource management;
- environmental security and partnerships that are already helping Ukraine not only to survive but to transform with clean energy solutions.