The Russian invasion has devastated Ukraine’s energy sector, destroying over 50% of electricity generation and 70% of thermal plants, causing outages, high prices, and insecurity of supply. Despite new laws for energy transition, Ukraine struggles to align with EU directives and update efficiency regulations. Many municipalities lack energy management systems and plans needed for funding. Limited technical and financial capacity hinders project implementation. War-related labor shortages, especially of qualified and female specialists, further strain ministries, agencies, and education institutions in achieving an inclusive green transition.

New municipalities are supported to introduce energy management systems (EMS) and to implement initial small-scale energy efficiency (EE) and renewable energy (RE) measures in their municipalities. Others are supported to optimize their EMS, implement larger EE / RE measures, and in particular developing Mu-nicipal Energy Plans. Additionally, it assists municipal public service companies (e.g. water supply companies) in planning and implementing EE / RE measures. To meet the growing demand for skilled workers, the project cooperates with new, additional vocational schools and universities in order to integrate EE and RE trainings modules developed by the predecessor project FEER into their curricula or to develop new modules to address emerging needs. The capacities of municipal actors and employees of financial institutions are strengthened.

- Strengthened institutional capacities, providing a long-term regulatory orientation,

- Municipalities enabled to manage energy use more effectively, develop local energy and heat plans, and implement concrete EE/RE project,

- Strengthened workforce development and education,

- Improved access to innovative financing models, ensuring the long-term sustainability and scalability of resilient energy solutions.

Expected results:  

- 10 adapted or newly developed EU-compliant legal documents for the promotion of EE and RE at the national level.

- 35 implemented EE or RE projects, that were developed by staff of city administrations or municipal companies on the basis of an energy management system.

- 40 municipal actors using municipal energy plans or municipal heat supply schemes for the planning or implementation of EE and RE measures.

- 7,500 persons, thereof 1,175 women, that have successfully completed an EE- or RE-related professional training course at a vocational training center or university.

Results from previous phases:  

- 15 energy efficiency laws and regulations adopted, including 7 during the war.

- 30 municipalities established or improved energy management systems.

- 35 municipalities received 37 grants (~100,000 EUR each) for energy efficiency and infrastructure projects.

- 18 nursery schools equipped with solar thermal systems for continuous hot water supply.

- 25 war-affected municipal companies trained in energy efficiency- 15 received 10,000 EUR grants to implement measures.

- 10 companies in Sumy, Kharkiv, and Chernihiv regions received 250,000 EUR total to improve energy efficiency and productivity.

- 5,000 students completed professional courses- 700+ teachers participated in training events.