Winter is coming: why it is important for Ukraine to switch to alternative energy supply technologies

Ukraine is once again preparing for a difficult winter. Russia does not hide its intentions to destroy Ukraine's energy infrastructure, and previous massive attacks have once again confirmed this. Constant attacks last year left millions of people without heat, light and water. This year, the enemy continues its attempts to break the resilience of Ukrainians. In such conditions, the need to switch to alternative sources of energy supply becomes not just desirable, but vital, writes UNN.

Ukrainians demonstrate outstanding ingenuity and perseverance, looking for all possible ways to ensure their own energy independence. People massively install solar panels, stock up on generators, inverters and other devices that help survive power outages. 

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky announced that energy sustainability passports for the regions of Ukraine will be prepared by the end of the year. "The basis for the ability to withstand all energy challenges will be worked out for all regions," he said during a speech in the Verkhovna Rada.

The president also stressed the need for rational energy consumption in Ukraine.

Maintaining rational energy consumption is the responsibility of the state. We are used to the concept of energy efficiency. But we must get used to the fact that energy efficiency measures are not about anyone else in the country, they are about you

Currently, local authorities actively support initiatives that allow implementing energy-efficient projects, installing backup power sources at critical facilities, and switching to alternative energy sources to protect communities from energy terror.

Brovary is one of the most striking examples of how local authorities are preparing for the challenges of winter by introducing alternative energy supply technologies. In 2024, the city implemented a number of projects aimed at ensuring the smooth operation of critical infrastructure.

In particular, KP Brovariteplovodoenergy installed solar panels with a total capacity of 150 KV at one of the critical infrastructure facilities.

According to the mayor of Brovary Igor Sapozhko, similar equipment, but more powerful,  is also installed at one of the objects of the "heating network".

Special attention should be paid to the efforts of the community in introducing alternative heating systems. In particular, some of the boiler houses of the Brovarsky territorial community, which provide heat to important social facilities, operate on alternative fuels. 

In addition, 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. 

kindergartens of the city are also becoming energy independent. For example,  kindergarten "Kapitoshka" within the framework of the project "promotion of energy efficiency and implementation of the EU directive on energy efficiency in Ukraine" (FEER), funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and development of Germany (BMZ) and the state secretariat for Economic Affairs of the Swiss Confederation (SECO).

Local authorities, along with ensuring the energy independence of critical infrastructure facilities, are also working to support Brovary residents who have decided to improve their own comfort. The city, for example, has a partial compensation program for the purchase of electric generators for apartment buildings.

According to Igor Sapozhko, this program has been operating in Brovary since the end of 2022. The city allocated almost two million hryvnias for compensation. In order to receive funds for the installed generator, the management of AJOAH or HBC must contact the city Department of Housing and communal services, infrastructure and transport. The application is considered by the commission, determines the amount of compensation and makes a decision for the meeting of the executive committee. 

Switching to alternative energy sources is not just a matter of energy independence. It is also an opportunity to significantly reduce energy costs, improve the efficiency of energy systems, and reduce the vulnerability of infrastructure to attacks.

Brovary demonstrates that investment in alternative energy also has a long-term environmental effect. The use of biomass, generators and renewable energy sources helps reduce CO₂ emissions, making the city more environmentally friendly.

Brovary is just one example. On a national scale, the introduction of alternative energy sources can be a key factor in survival in war conditions. Decentralizing energy supply, using generators, renewable energy, and attack-resistant systems can save the lives and well-being of millions of people.