19.11.2024 | News
The municipality of Poltava in east-central Ukraine is set to begin a district heating project to enhance energy resilience and sustainability, funded by a grant from Sweden of up to EUR 1 million and managed by Nefco. As a continuation of the Sweden–Ukraine District Heating (SUDH) programme, which started in 2019, the project will integrate renewable energy sources into Poltava’s district heating (DH) system to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and improve system reliability.
Читати історію українською мовою
Läs artikeln på svenska
- The project, supported by a grant of up to EUR 1 million from Sweden, is managed by Nefco under the Sweden-Ukraine District Heating (SUDH) programme.
- Integrating solar power and geothermal heat will increase energy independence, reduce fossil fuel reliance, and ensure stable heating for Poltava’s critical municipal buildings.
- The project is expected to result in annual energy savings while improving efficiency, comfort, and air quality for a targeted group of elderly residents and setting a replicable model for other Ukrainian municipalities.
Poltavateploenergo, the municipal district heating provider and project beneficiary, will oversee the implementation. As the primary heat provider for Poltava, Poltavateploenergo operates 90 boiler houses with a total capacity of 1000 MW, serving a significant portion of the city’s population. The project will help secure reliable, eco-friendly heating for critical municipal buildings, including the Geriatric Boarding House for War and Labour Veterans, and will contribute to improving the heating supply for approximately 130,000 residents.
The project’s two main components include installing solar power systems with battery storage and implementing solar collectors and geothermal heat pumps at a designated boiler house. These upgrades will enhance Poltava’s DH system’s resilience, contributing to ensuring uninterrupted heat distribution across 94 boiler houses and minimising the impact of power outages. The expected annual energy savings will improve and secure the heating supply and provide enhanced indoor air quality, comfort, and health benefits for the elderly residents.
Poltava, an administrative centre covering four districts and 19 territorial communities, has also welcomed around 200,000 internally displaced persons from the neighbouring Kharkiv region since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. District heating remains the primary heat source for about 65% of Poltava’s residents, underscoring the vital need for resilient energy infrastructure.
“Sweden is proud to support Nefco in advancing sustainable district heating in Poltava. This project reflects our dedication to helping communities in Central Ukraine develop robust energy systems that serve both the environment and residents’ needs,” says Johan Willert, Senior Programme Manager at Sida, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency.
“This project is a practical step towards a modernised, EU-aligned district heating system in Poltava in wartime conditions, setting a replicable example for other municipalities in Ukraine. It also fosters a sustainable, customer-focused approach that strengthens resilience and advances a green heating sector,” says Ronny Nilsson, Senior Adviser and SUDH Programme Manager at Nefco.
“Poltavateploenergo has a strong track record with Nefco, having successfully and promptly completed key investment projects in the past. This latest undertaking builds on that success, integrating cost- and energy-efficient solutions such as solar power and geothermal heat to provide stable heating for Poltava,” says Oleksii Kapustynskyi, Investment Adviser at Nefco.
“Our team at Poltavateploenergo is well-prepared for this project, which has been carefully planned over the past two years in close cooperation with Nefco to align with Poltava’s long-term energy goals. By reinforcing our district heating system, this initiative will significantly enhance the well-being of our most vulnerable residents, providing them with sustainable heating, especially during the winter months,” says Oleg Mizik, Acting General Director of Poltavateploenergo.
In spring 2022, just after the full-scale invasion, Nefco presented a waste-to-energy study in Poltava funded with support from the Finland-Ukraine Trust Fund. This leverages previous collaborations, including the DemoUkrainaDH project in 2015, which showcased a modern approach to district heating, improved energy efficiency, and reduced CO₂ emissions.
For further information, please contact:
Ronny Nilsson, Senior Adviser, Nefco
ronny.nilsson@nefco.int,+358 10 618 0642
Oleksii Kapustynskyi, Investment Adviser, Nefco
oleksii.kapustynskyi@nefco.int, +358 10 618 0649