Communities have the capability to strengthen their energy security. For this, they need to implement a number of steps to modernise the energy infrastructure and launch their own energy generation.
Dmytro Sakaliuk, Energy Efficiency Expert at U-LEAD with Europe, told this at the online info session “Municipal Energy Supply System: Responding to Challenges and Threats” for municipal officials of the Chernihiv, Kyiv, Zhytomyr, Vinnytsia, Khmelnytskyi and Chernivtsi regions.
“Ukraine’s energy system is built in such a way that it is difficult for an individual municipality not to be dependent on other municipalities and systems. Energy generation is concentrated in certain regions, and logistics also pose a challenge. Therefore, a municipality should take stock of its situation: where they get energy from, how it is transported, how and when the energy is used and where it can be stored. And further develop steps towards energy security,” he said.
According to the expert, the threat of Russian shelling and missile attacks is not going away any time soon, so municipalities should work on their energy security.
First of all, consumption should be reduced. This can be achieved through the analysis of energy consumption by utility companies.
The second step is to modernise systems that use energy. Investments in replacing outdated heating and lighting systems and replacing equipment with more efficient solutions will make an immediate difference in energy costs.
The third step is to launch the municipality’s own energy generation. Small hydropower, wind and solar plants; use of biogas plants. For example, in Zviahel, Zhytomyr region, a solar power plant was installed on the roof of a municipal hospital, and now the hospital has additional power that will be of great help during Russian shelling.
Finally, developing a municipal energy plan. Municipalities must come up with their own energy development policies, combining all these disparate steps into a single system of action.
Developing a municipal energy plan strengthens municipalities and enables them to overcome threats and challenges from Russia’s destruction of energy infrastructure.
Earlier, a series of educational and advisory events on energy security in municipalities was launched.
These are the first training events of U-LEAD’s Municipal Energy Security course. To join the next ones, contact the Regional Office of U-LEAD.