Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman calls on local authorities to implement energy efficiency measures, those enabling to achieve energy independence in a few years, to reduce two-threefold the bills for energy consumption and to provide new jobs in the communities. The Head of Government announced this during a meeting on problematic issues of development of local government with city mayors on Monday. The meeting was also attended by the members of the Government and Mr. Sergiy Savchuk, Head of the State Agency on Energy Efficiency and Energy Saving of Ukraine.

The Prime Minister stressed that the current objective for the authorities was to provide effective social protection necessary due to the introduction of market-based gas prices through the subsidy tool, to ensure energy efficiency action: to cut energy consumption thereby improving the quality of services, to ensure objective recording and installing meters. In addition, local authorities should conduct an audit of the heat supply companies, he said. "You will see that people will get protection through a mechanism of social subsidies and you will be able to consume less energy", he added.

The Prime Minister noted that a number of important mechanisms had been created to ensure energy modernization. He recalled that the Government had approved a concept of the Energy Efficiency Fund which will afford to accumulate resources and to help implementation of energy saving measures, thereby improving energy efficiency. Moreover, there is in effect a Warm Loan program that allows saving up to 70% of the resources in the upgrading process, he said.

"We must insulate buildings, upgrade boiler houses, replace heating mains. I think everyone here is aware what is the situation with the heating systems in Ukraine. They have been talking for 25 years that they are in a terrible state. Then, maybe it’s time we have to change that", said Volodymyr Groysman.

"You can take steps that will allow you in a few years to reach energy independence, at that an average bill of your citizen can reduce two-threefold, while the funds that you spend on energy efficiency will not be a compensation for corrupt officials. It will be an opportunity to create dozens thousands of jobs in your communities," he said appealing to the representatives of local self-government bodies.

The Head of Government urged the mayors to cooperate in solving issues of development of local self-government. "I urge you to unite and build an apolitical and absolutely responsible and patriotic tandem, which will enable us - the Government and local authorities as one team - to create better living conditions for people. Without your help we will not succeed", summed up Volodymyr Groysman.

By the materials of the Government portal: http://www.kmu.gov.ua/control/en/publish/article?art_id=249197119&cat_id...