Energy-Efficient Transformation of Communities: "Solar Watch for Communities" Project Launched in Kyiv and Cherkasy Regions
The national public-private initiative “Solar Watch for Communities” has officially launched in the Kyiv and Cherkasy regions, aiming to boost energy efficiency and develop renewable energy across local communities.
The project’s first workshop, titled “Designing and Implementing Solar Power Plants in Communities: Practical Solutions and Advice,” brought together energy managers from both regions. Participants received expert recommendations and explored successful case studies of solar power plant implementation.
The State Agency on Energy Efficiency and Energy Saving of Ukraine (SAEE) serves as a strategic partner and one of the project’s key national coordinators. The ambitious goal of the initiative is to engage over 150 communities in implementing energy efficiency and renewable energy measures by the end of 2025.
During the project’s opening, SAEE Head Hanna Zamazieieva stated:
“Energy efficiency measures are more than just energy savings — they represent tangible financial savings that stay within the budgets of cities and communities. Amid a full-scale war, when the majority of tax revenues are directed to the central budget for defense needs, local governments are forced to find internal reserves.
That’s why energy efficiency becomes a powerful tool for strengthening financial resilience at the local level. Today, communities are the driving force behind energy efficiency and decarbonization reforms.”
Roman Radchenko, Deputy Head of the Department of Regional Development and Administrative Services at SAEE, also took part in the workshop. He briefed participants on the institutional foundations of the national energy efficiency policy and outlined 2025 priorities for supporting communities in implementing renewable energy projects:
“Communities today are a major engine in the energy transformation process. The current challenges facing Ukraine demand a systematic approach to recovery, development, and regional transformation. In this, energy efficiency, decarbonization, and the integration of renewable energy sources are key pillars for building a sustainable and secure future.
That is precisely why SAEE initiated the creation of the Decarbonization Fund of Ukraine (JSC) — a simple yet effective tool for supporting energy efficiency projects. The Fund will also join the multi-complex 'Solar Watch for Communities' initiative as a core implementation partner in supporting local-level projects.”
Ukraine now has a unique opportunity not just to adapt to wartime energy challenges but to transform communities into energy-efficient, self-sufficient hubs of sustainable development, capable of meeting their energy needs through renewable sources.
Educational webinars will continue across other Ukrainian regions until July 10, with the “Solar Community” competition set to be announced next week. We extend our sincere thanks to our partners, particularly the “Business for Partnership” Civic Union, for their coordination and invaluable contribution to the implementation of this much-needed initiative.