Switzerland invested more than EUR 16 million over the last 9 years in strengthening Zhytomyr energy efficiency
On 26 October 2023, representatives of the Embassy of Switzerland in Ukraine, Zhytomyr City Council and Ministry for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine summed up the results of the Zhytomyr Energy Efficiency Project, which was implemented with the financial support of Switzerland. The final meeting of the Steering Committee took place in Zhytomyr City.
The project, aimed at developing a sustainable and efficient energy management system and achieving municipal energy independence, was launched in 2015. During its implementation, the city reduced the energy consumption by switching to renewable energy resources and improved the living standards of the local and displaced people.
One of the innovative and promising solutions of the project was the construction of a power plant operating on a wood-fired biomass. Such a cogeneration plant with a technological process for the combined production of heat and electricity was the first in Ukraine. Launched last winter, the plant has significantly reduced municipal natural gas consumption and carbon emissions while contributing to the community's energy independence.
Когенераційна установка працює на деревній біомасі
"Despite all obstacles along the project's implementation – coronavirus, war, changes in the Ukrainian legislation – today we can report on the project's success. Energy independence is a priority for Zhytomyr, the importance of which has become even more significant after 24 February 2022 that was followed by massive attacks on critical energy infrastructure and blackouts throughout Ukraine," said Svitlana Olshanskaya, First Deputy Mayor of Zhytomyr.
Among the project's outcomes are thermal modernization of five kindergartens, installation of a solar power plant on the premises of the local hospital, establishing individual heating points in residential buildings to regulate heat consumption, as well as raising public awareness about energy efficiency and climate change and developing the institutional capacity of local governments, utility companies and community residents on effective energy management.
The Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) has contributed over 16 million euros out of the project's total budget of around 20 million euros. Switzerland has also offered its expertise and supported international consultants.
"The Swiss Confederation was honoured to support local efforts to ensure energy efficiency and independence of the Zhytomyr community. Over the years, this project developed a variety of innovative approaches and practices in many aspects of energy efficiency. And the fact that its achievements were picked up by other cities across Ukraine most of all testifies to its success and relevance. We congratulate Zhytomyr on the implementation of the project that will continue to improve the life quality of local residents even in times of massive attacks on critical infrastructure," said Silvan Hungerbühler, Deputy Head of Cooperation at the Embassy of Switzerland in Ukraine.
In 2018, Zhytomyr became the second city in Ukraine after Vinnytsia to receive the European Energy Award (EEA) confirming the city's commitments and progress to implement effective energy and climate policy measures.
"Reducing the consumption of fossil fuels and the transition to renewable energy sources is a challenge for the state itself. And it has only been hampered by the full-scale invasion. That is why the Zhytomyr's experience in implementing international projects aimed at reducing the energy consumption is a valuable and worthy example to follow," said Dmytro Perutin, Head of the Energy Efficiency Department at the Ministry for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine.
