Hanna Zamazieieva: “When communities, the state, and businesses unite, real change is born. And today, we are witnessing exactly such a unification — the launch of the nationwide public-state initiative ‘Community Solar Watch.’”
This was emphasized by the Head of the State Agency on Energy Efficiency and Energy Saving of Ukraine (SAEE) during a press conference dedicated to the launch of the multi-complex project “Community Solar Watch.”
“Energy efficiency measures are not just about saving energy. They result in tangible savings that remain in the budgets of communities and cities. Amid a full-scale war, where most tax revenues are directed to the central budget for defense needs, local communities are forced to seek internal reserves on their own.
That is why energy efficiency becomes an effective tool for strengthening local financial capacity. Today, communities are the driving force of change in the field of energy efficiency and decarbonization,” added Hanna Zamazieieva.
SAEE acts as a strategic partner and one of the main state coordinators of the national project “Community Solar Watch.” 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.
The Head of SAEE also highlighted that in 2024 alone, central executive authorities spent around UAH 16.5 billion on utilities, while local communities spent over UAH 70 billion.
“According to estimates, energy efficiency measures can save up to 50% of budgetary funds. But such results can only be achieved with stable funding. That’s why SAEE facilitated the creation of the Ukrainian Decarbonization Fund, a joint-stock company — a simple and effective tool for state support of energy efficiency projects. The Fund will also participate in the multi-complex project ‘Community Solar Watch’ and become one of the key partners for implementing energy-saving measures in communities,” said Zamazieieva.
The project includes three main components:
the “Solar Community” competition,
training activities for community representatives,
and short-term educational programs for veterans, developed jointly with the Ministry of Education and Science and implemented in pilot communities.
These programs will include preparatory courses on the installation and operation of solar power systems (PV plants), as well as modules on the basics of entrepreneurship.
It is expected that around 300 veterans will undergo retraining and acquire new skills tailored to community needs. This initiative will help form a new generation of specialists in the field of green energy.
Zhanna Patsiora, President of the NGO “Business for Partnership,” emphasized that “Community Solar Watch” is a public-state platform that unites various sectors into a single strategic direction — Ukraine’s energy independence.
The project is also being launched in regions where Decarbonization and Energy Efficiency Offices are already active — in Kirovohrad, Vinnytsia, and Mykolaiv regions. Thanks to the experience gained through cooperation with communities, these offices will become key hubs for implementing the project from both technical and social standpoints.
True change is only possible through partnership — with communities, educational institutions, businesses, and the veteran community. We are grateful to all partners, especially the “Business for Partnership” team, for their coordination and contribution to making this vital initiative a reality.
More details about the “Community Solar Watch” project are available at: https://www.bfp.org.ua/sg4c
