EcoEnergy at press-conference 'Mechanisms for improvement of heat-supply efficiency in the sphere of housing and communal services of Ukraine'

On Thursday, April 19, press-conference was held in Kiev on the subject of “Mechanisms for improvement of heat-supply efficiency in the sphere of housing and communal services of Ukraine". EcoEnergy was invited as EUEA member to participate in this event and as developer of the first Waste-to-Energy facility in Ukraine.

The main speaker was Anatoliy Blyznyuk, Minister of Regional Development, Construction and Municipal Economy of Ukraine and he was the one who raised a question of energy culture, efficient heat supply diagrams and presented alternatives for investments attraction to the projects of housing and communal sector.

“Today every person knows that the price for gas is getting higher. Ukraine as an independent country that has taken the commitments of the European Energy Community, must ensure implementation of energy-saving technologies” – Minister said.

The participants of the press conference were Dave Young (Chairman of the Board of European-Ukrainian Energy Agency), Vitaliy Poplavskiy (Member of European-Ukrainian Energy Agency, Head of Center of Energy Saving Technologies “ECO”), William Tucker (Project Manager of “Reform of municipal heat supply in Ukraine” (USAID)), Vsevolod Koshel (Member of European-Ukrainian Energy Agency, Executive Director of EcoEnergy Donetsk in Ukraine). The experts presented their position with regard to the problem of energy efficiency in the housing sector of Ukraine and solutions for the major energy problems of the country.

In his turn Dave Young, Chairman of the Board of European-Ukrainian Energy Agency, stated that Ukraine could save on Russian gas for the expense of heat generation from waste processing.

“We welcome the steps taken by the Ministry of Ukraine on implementation of energy saving technologies. It is vital to analyze the availability of alternative energy sources such as waste. According to experts, Ukraine has a great potential therein”, noted Dave Young.

“Taking into account the European experience, the most important for the optimum use of resources is the utmost utilization of all possible heat and energy sources. As well as connecting these sources to the utility systems, for instance, district heating system”, said Vsevolod Koshel, Executive Director of “EcoEnergy Donetsk”.

Therefore, private investors appeal to the government for support at the legislation level to encourage such initiatives on optimizing the energy sector of Ukraine. An introduction of “green tariff” for electric energy generated from waste could be such a stride for attraction of foreign investments in this sector. In addition, investors expect simplification of the land laws, as well as more transparent requirements for connection of new renewable energy facilities to existing utilities.

All the speakers agreed that effective reform is impossible without a comprehensive approach to the problem as well as commitment to solve it among the nation’s leadership, private investors and the public.