In Trostianets in the Sumy region, a unique green reconstruction project has been completed on a five-storey residential building at 53 Blahovishchenska Street. The building was almost completely destroyed during the russian occupation and hostilities, but has now been restored and completely transitioned to renewable energy sources.

The project involved the installation of a modern heating and power supply system comprising a heat pump and a solar power plant. The total cost of the system was EUR 218,000. This is the first time in Ukraine that a large, multi-apartment residential building has switched completely to renewable energy.

The project was implemented as part of a state programme and an international partnership, with financial support from Greenpeace. It forms part of a roadmap for the transition of Trostianets into a fossil fuel-free city, demonstrating the potential for a green recovery even 35 kilometres from the border with the russian federation.

During the event to mark the completion of the project, Yurii Bova, Mayor of Trostianets, addressed the attendees. He emphasised that the building is more than just a renovated five-storey structure; it is also a symbol of the community’s resilience and faith in the future.

 

 

‘Today, there is life, warmth, and confidence in the future here. We are proving that we can rebuild what has been destroyed in a new, modern and environmentally friendly way with a view to the future. The most important thing is that people are returning to safer, warmer, energy-independent homes,’ the Mayor emphasised.

The Trostianets City Council thanked the partners who participated in the project. iC consulenten Ukraine, Greenpeace Ukraine, and Sahara LLC received appreciation for implementing modern energy-efficient solutions and contributing to the community's recovery.

 

 

Andree Böhling, Program Leader of Greenpeace Ukraine, also addressed the participants. He noted that this is the first project of its kind in Ukraine, and emphasised the importance of revitalising affected communities and enabling people to return home using the latest technologies.

Dmytro Obukhov, Head of the Infrastructure Restoration and Development Service in the Sumy region, said that restoration work began in 2023. At the mayor’s initiative, the government decided to complete not only the exterior work, but the interior work too. Entrance and interior doors, plumbing fixtures, wallpaper, tiles, and laminate flooring have been installed in the apartments, and lighting has been installed in most of them. The work is scheduled for completion by New Year’s Day, after which the building will be officially opened.

During the event, residents, along with partners and government officials, inspected the renovated building and familiarised themselves with the innovative heating system and solar power station. The first families are returning to their flats today and settling in; some are planning to celebrate New Year’s Eve in their own homes.

 

 

On the same day, residents from vulnerable groups were given household appliances. With the support of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), 43 refrigerators were delivered to residents of buildings at 53 Blahovishchenska Street and 9 Neskuchanska Street.

In Trostianets, both officials and residents have noted that the implementation of this project has become a testament to the community’s gradual recovery from destruction. The project combines reconstruction with modern approaches to energy efficiency and sustainable development.