Local energy is the key to Ukraine's energy independence-expert
Kyiv • UNN
Energy expert Hennadiy Ryabtsev explained the importance of decentralizing the energy system of Ukraine. He noted the need to develop local energy projects and gave an example of successful implementation in Brovary.
The Ukrainian energy sector is undergoing large-scale changes, but real decentralization and the introduction of energy-efficient technologies require time and a comprehensive approach. This was stated in an exclusive comment to UNN by energy expert Gennady Ryabtsev, noting the importance of local initiatives and energy autonomy of communities.
"Changing the architecture of the energy system requires much more time than the one that local governments had. What has been done now is only the first steps on this path of decentralization, unbundling of the Ukrainian energy sector," Ryabtsev said.
According to him, the main goal is to replace large stations, primarily thermal ones, with a dispersed network of low-power stations that are connected to each other and connected to the unified energy system.
The expert noted that now progress is noticeable mainly at the level of small cities or territorial communities that have already been able to achieve energy autonomy. However, there are still few such examples in Ukraine, which is confirmed by the volume of installed capacity connected to the power system.
"If you look at the scale of the whole of Ukraine, the number of these pioneers-decentralization through enlargement, it is very small, and this is confirmed by the volume of installed capacity that is connected to the energy system - it is still extremely small," Ryabtsev stressed.
The expert noted that the introduction of energy — efficient technologies is the only way to guarantee Ukraine's energy independence. "This is the only way that can guarantee our energy independence. Under any conditions in the future. And the stability of our system in all conditions, reliability and operation," he added.
In particular, the expert called for a responsible approach in the development of regional energy passports. He warns against the risk that these documents may turn into a "copy-paste" that does not take into account the real resources and needs of individual territories.
"Now with these energy passports of the regions, with which everyone runs like with a written bag, maybe some obligations will be established at the level of territorial communities. But it is very important that these passports do not turn into copy - paste, when they take one as a sample and then copy it without taking into account the resources of the region," Ryabtsev explained.
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A striking example of implementing energy-efficient solutions is the Brovary community. Here the Municipal enterprise "Brovariteplovodoenergy "received a cogeneration plant with a capacity of 260 kW from USAID. The equipment that will be installed at one of the company's facilities will be a step towards increasing the energy independence of the community.
According to Brovarsky Mayor Igor Sapozhko, the community will soon receive two more similar installations. "This will significantly strengthen the energy stability of our city and provide heat and light not only to residents, but also to maintain critical infrastructure," he said.
Solar panels have already been installed or are being installed at some municipal facilities, where possible, and local authorities plan to develop this area in the future.
In addition, in the Brovarsky community of the Kiev region, some of the boiler houses that provide heat to important social facilities operate on alternative fuels. According to Igor Sapozhko, thanks to cooperation with international partners, solar panels were installed on the buildings of the Brovary multidisciplinary and children's hospitals.
