In November 2023, a series of 17 info sessions for municipalities with the umbrella theme of Energy Security was completed. Throughout the year, U-LEAD experts introduced the participants to approaches to the formation of local energy policy in wartime.
The municipalities learned what to focus on during energy planning and the future restoration of facilities; explored the features of energy efficiency measures in various sectors; received assistance in understanding modern technologies of renewable energy sources and searched for additional sources of financing.
The final info sessions of the first weeks of November were devoted to the peculiarities of writing energy projects. How to determine the expediency of directing funds to a certain project? How to justify the redistribution of limited financial resources among municipal facilities? What to pay attention to when preparing a project application for the tender of energy projects?
“It’s not a secret that municipalities often do not understand why the submitted project application failed in the competition. Professionals of relevant departments usually spend a lot of time preparing project applications but do not always take into account the nature of competitions. Energy projects are projects with hard elements, and they require careful calculations and a clear understanding of the final saving of energy resources. This determines certain considerations when preparing these project applications. We asked our experts to tell us about how to avoid common mistakes, how to calculate the necessary indicators and what to focus on when preparing the project budget,” said Yuliia Molodozhen.
Speaking about the expediency of energy efficiency measures, experts emphasised the importance of economic indicators and the social effect of projects, as well as the implementation of an energy management system, and advised to account for greenhouse gas emissions. And keep in mind the need to work cohesively to improve energy security in the municipality.
The advisers presented a selection of energy efficiency grant competitions, analysed the features of filling out applications and talked about common mistakes made by potential grant recipients. Participants also learned how to develop a project budget and calculate financial indicators.
According to Kateryna Shyshka, U-LEAD’s Energy Efficiency Expert, energy-saving measures have been implemented in Ukraine for many years. However, not all initiatives are implemented successfully.
“Sometimes municipalities attract investments or grants, and do not know how to bring the project to a logical conclusion. Not necessarily because of corruption. Sometimes it's just an inability to follow the grantor or investor’s guidelines. The point is that all projects related to energy and this area are regulated and implemented according to certain guidelines,” she said.
And as she added, the municipalities that take each stage of the application seriously will have the greatest chance of receiving financial support.
Energy projects differ from others in that they usually successfully involve the development of project and estimate documentation followed by state examination. Most often, they have a long-term effect and require constant monitoring by the technical staff, the developer of the project and estimate documentation and the customer.
The effect of such projects can be a lower consumption of energy resources, cutting down budget expenditures for the payment of energy carriers, a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, an improvement in the living conditions of utility users, ensuring uninterrupted energy supply and provision of services in emergency situations.
Expert Dmytro Sakaliuk offered the participants of the event advice on the development of energy projects. In particular, he pointed out typical mistakes when formulating the goal of the project, submitting the budget and developing a list of activities. He emphasised the following:
“A cool idea that fits the priorities of the competition, that will lead to long-term changes rather than bandaids when implemented, has a better chance of success. Here it is important to work systematically. Even if you have already written ten applications, you must identify your mistakes and correct them. Allocate enough time to writing applications and always keep an eye on other grant competitions.”