Kyiv, 27 December 2018 – The installation of new boilers in social infrastructure objects and work on agricultural biomass enables cost and energy savings in Cherkaske, Sloviansk Rayon, Donetsk Oblast. The energy efficient equipment was set up through the UNDP project Development and Commercialization of Bioenergy Technologies in the Municipal Sector in Ukraine, which is implemented with support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

The use of biomass for thermal energy or electricity generation has significant potential in Ukraine. As such, the Energy Strategy for Ukraine by 2035 ensures the increased use of biomass in the heating and cooling sector, accounting for up to 5 million tonnes per year, while simultaneously comprising 85% of all renewable energy sources in the sector. By using biomass as a fuel, cities and towns can significantly increase the efficiency of heating and hot water supply for social infrastructure facilities, including schools, hospitals, and kindergartens. The new boilers currently being installed in a school and hospital in Cherkaske, Donetsk Oblast, will operate on agricultural biomass. This, in turn, will lead to the reduction of local budget costs due to a significant decrease in the consumption of natural gas. Apart from immense financial benefits, the use of this equipment will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change.

“The use of agricultural biomass instead of natural gas will enable public buildings in Donetsk Oblast to meet their own heat supply needs while reducing local budget costs, energy resources, and contributing to the energy modernization of Ukraine’s budgetary and public utility sectors,” said Yevhen Groza, manager of the UNDP/GEF project Development and Commercialization of Bioenergy Technologies in the Municipal Sector in Ukraine.

Overall, the project has encompassed the installation of 12 boilers based on agricultural biomass in Zhytomyr, Kyiv, Cherkassy and Donetsk oblasts.

Background information:

The UNDP project Development and Commercialization of Bioenergy Technologies in the Municipal Sector in Ukraine, implemented with support from the Global Environment Facility, aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by increasing the use of biomass energy as a fuel source for heating and hot water services in the municipal sector in Ukraine. Learn more about the project here.

Media inquiries: Yuliia Samus, Communications Team Leader, UNDP Ukraine, yuliia.samus@undp.org, communciations.ukraine@undp.org