The Government has approved a UAH 396 million subsidy for local budgets to install solar panels, heat pumps and energy storage systems in schools, hospitals and kindergartens, with the aim of enhancing energy independence and ensuring the uninterrupted operation of these facilities in the event of prolonged heat and electricity supply shortages.

‘The Government’s decision to allocate a subsidy of almost UAH 400 million is a strategic investment in community resilience. Installing solar panels and energy storage devices in hospitals, schools, and kindergartens guarantees their uninterrupted operation, regardless of external challenges. This project highlights our priority: decentralisation of the energy system and quality management of public investments, which has been made possible thanks to cooperation with the European Investment Bank and our international partners,’ said Oleksii Kuleba, Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration of Ukraine — Minister for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine.

The RES programme aims to support the decentralised development of renewable energy, strengthen the energy independence of Ukrainian communities and ensure the uninterrupted operation of critical social facilities. The programme focuses on schools, hospitals, and kindergartens, as ensuring their stable operation is vital, especially in conditions of military risk.

In particular, it involves creating renewable energy sources at facilities that have previously been successfully renovated or modernised with the support of the EIB. The Ministry will draw up a list of specific facilities in collaboration with the bank, which will then be approved by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine by a separate resolution.

The total grant funding amounts to UAH 440 million. Of this, UAH 396 million comes in the form of state budget subsidies for local budgets to implement activities on the ground. The remaining UAH 44 million will finance technical assistance for purchases to be made by the UN Development Programme (UNDP).

In addition, the project provides communities with training in the form of courses and mentoring support. This will equip them with the knowledge and skills necessary for the successful implementation and maintenance of renewable energy facilities.

The Renewable Energy Solutions (RES) programme is financed by a grant from the European Investment Bank (EIB), secured by the German Federal Government and the International Climate Initiative (IKI). The project is jointly implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). UNDP will act as the procurement agent and ensure the transparent and efficient procurement and installation of the necessary equipment.