Supporting Communities in Energy Efficiency Projects
Energy security of communities, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and the development of sustainable energy consumption are key priorities of Ukraine’s state policy.
During the event “Supporting Partner Communities in Energy Efficiency Projects”, organized by GIZ Ukraine, Viktor Bilko, Deputy Head of the State Agency on Energy Efficiency and Energy Saving of Ukraine (SAEE), spoke about opportunities for community development in the field of energy efficiency and emphasized the importance of implementing Municipal Energy Plans (MEPs) as a prerequisite for receiving state financial support for energy efficiency initiatives.
Using real-life case studies, participants discussed practical mechanisms for implementing energy-saving solutions, shared experiences in optimizing energy consumption, and identified key challenges faced by communities.
Viktor Bilko highlighted the opportunities provided by JSC “Ukrainian Decarbonisation Fund”, which implements state support programs for businesses and municipalities by offering preferential loans for energy efficiency and decarbonisation measures, equipment leasing, and factoring instruments to expand access to financing.
“In its first full year of operation, the Fund has supported dozens of energy modernization projects for municipal facilities — from schools and kindergartens to hospitals and water utilities. Particular attention is paid to transparent project selection and implementation. Each community submits an application that undergoes an independent expert evaluation. Another important aspect is partnership with international organizations,”
said the Deputy Head of SAEE.
Key achievements of the Fund:
In its first year of operation, the Fund financed 57 projects in 11 regions of Ukraine totaling UAH 829 million.
The largest share of funding went to renewable energy (RES) projects — UAH 423 million.
Cogeneration projects ranked second (UAH 141 million), followed by ESCO projects (UAH 115 million) aimed at improving energy efficiency in municipal facilities and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The success of implementing energy efficiency initiatives in the regions is possible only through active community participation, transparent state policies, and support from international partners. Joint efforts enable not only the deployment of modern energy-saving technologies but also the creation of sustainable mechanisms for local economic development.
It is worth noting that regional Offices for Decarbonisation and Energy Efficiency, developed by SAEE, are already operating in eight regions of Ukraine. These offices provide communities with consulting support, analytical materials, and practical recommendations for implementing energy efficiency solutions.
