Strategic Dialogue in Vinnytsia Region: Focus on Energy Efficiency, Decarbonization, and Digital Transformation
Head of the State Agency on Energy Efficiency Hanna Zamazeyeva, together with the Head of the Ukrainian Decarbonization Fund Olesia Mishchenko and Deputy Head of the State Agency on Energy Efficiency for Digitalization Volodymyr Korotkov, held a series of working meetings in Vinnytsia.
The discussions engaged the leadership of the Vinnytsia Regional State Administration, the Vinnytsia City Council, the Vinnytsia Regional Council, as well as representatives of regional and local municipal enterprises.
The main focus was aligning current initiatives and shaping strategic plans in the fields of energy efficiency, decarbonization, and digital transformation of the region’s energy sector.
Hanna Zamazeyeva emphasized: “Vinnytsia region is already making progress in developing bioenergy. The State Agency on Energy Efficiency has issued 12 certificates for alternative fuels here — including peat briquettes, straw pellets, sunflower husk pellets, mixed alternative fuels from safe waste, hardwood, and more. This year alone, we certified six cogeneration units in Vinnytsia region in compliance with EU requirements. Their combined electrical capacity is 15.3 MW, with 104 MW of thermal capacity.”
Currently, projects for constructing solar power plants are underway in Vinnytsia region with the support of the Ukrainian Decarbonization Fund. One such project is a new solar power plant in the Yakushyn community, visited during the delegation’s trip.
Together with the leadership of the Vinnytsia Regional Council, the parties focused on ongoing and upcoming decarbonization projects. Special attention was given to the installation of a solar power plant at the O.I. Yushchenko Regional Psychoneurological Hospital.
“I personally spoke with the director of the institution about further plans for autonomy. We also discussed potential co-financing from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the Decarbonization Fund. One such initiative is a large-scale modernization of the heating system in Vinnytsia region worth €18 million. Initial communications have already been completed, preliminary approval obtained — now we are working on the details,” noted Hanna Zamazeyeva.
Another important focus is the creation of energy-independent schools — institutions capable of operating autonomously for up to 12 hours even without external power supply.
The Agency has already selected 55 sites in Vinnytsia region for installing solar power plants with a total capacity of 2.2 MW. This is part of a national initiative to equip buildings of central executive authorities with solar plants. The initiative aligns with EU legislation — specifically Article 9 of Directive (EU) 2023/1791 — which requires the public sector to lead in energy efficiency.
During the visit, special emphasis was also placed on the work of the Vinnytsia Office for Decarbonization and Energy Efficiency.
This was the first such office to open in Ukraine — and it remains a model example. Since its launch, it has conducted 486 consultations for residents, businesses, housing cooperatives, and civil society organizations. Six projects have been submitted to the Decarbonization Fund, including from Vinnytsiamiskteploenergo and Vinnytsiaoblteploenergo. The office has also participated in 32 events — forums, seminars, and strategic sessions.
Based at the Office, projects are prepared, supported, and reviewed in line with the Green Deal of Vinnytsia, the Covenant of Mayors – East, the European Energy Award, and the standards of the Association of Energy Efficient Cities of Ukraine.
One promising direction is the creation of energy communities — a permanent support mechanism for residents, housing cooperatives, and businesses at the municipal level.
The working visit confirmed that Vinnytsia region has strong potential for developing bioenergy, renewable energy, and digital solutions in the energy sector. The initiatives and projects agreed upon during the meetings will strengthen the region’s energy independence and become an important component of its sustainable development.
We thank the regional leadership for their strategic vision, openness to partnership, and readiness to implement modern energy-efficient solutions.
