Rebuilding infrastructure and creating new opportunities: Kherson region develops green energy

The Velyko Oleksandrivska community in Kherson Oblast is actively installing solar power plants. Last month, the use of green energy for water supply allowed the community to save eight thousand hryvnias.

According to Oleksandr Prokudin, head of the Kherson Regional Military Administration, four solar power plants are already operating in the community thanks to the financial support of Global Emergency Relief, Recovery & Reconstruction and the People in Need charity.

"It's not just about rebuilding infrastructure, it's about creating new opportunities. So we are developing green energy in the region and installing solar power plants, which will help us become energy independent," the official said.

The solar power plant in the Velyko Oleksandrivska community consists of 16 solar panels and currently provides water to almost a thousand local residents of one of the community's settlements. The solar station will ensure the operation of two artesian wells in summer and one in winter. The panel is serviced by pumping equipment with a capacity of 3 kW and 7 kW. Over the two months of operation, the station has generated 830 kW of energy, saving eight thousand hryvnias.

The Snihuriv community, which was under occupation from March to September 2022, has also restored and improved its water supply using solar energy. There are 41 wells in the community. 12 of them are equipped with solar panels, inverters, batteries and additional generators.

"According to the results of the analysis of the solar panels, the energy savings are about 50%," said Ivan Kukhta, head of the community, adding that in the event of a power outage, the solar panels ensure stable operation of pumping and electrical equipment at the wells for 8-12 hours.

In September, the Voznesenska community completed the construction of a solar power plant at the water utility's pumping station. This project was another step towards the community's energy independence and the implementation of environmental solutions. The solar power plant can compensate for up to 30% of the electricity consumed by the main pumping station, which provides the town with drinking water. Water is supplied from wells at three water intakes, and the daily water supply at the main station ranges from 2,500 to 3,000 cubic meters.

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