Renewable Energy in Southern Ukraine: Challenges and Opportunities in Frontline Regions

Odesa, Mykolaiv, and Kherson regions have a strategic location, a strong agricultural sector, and high potential for green energy development. However, regular shelling, lack of investment, and damaged infrastructure make it difficult to introduce renewable energy sources. At the same time, local solutions are emerging, such as solar panels on buildings. They are becoming a way to strengthen energy independence in times of war. In addition, international partners are joining the recovery effort, helping with equipment, financing, and paperwork.

We have studied the experience of three communities in the southern regions of Ukraine that are implementing green energy efficiency technologies. For some communities, this is an opportunity to cover basic needs, such as electricity or water supply, in times of war. For others, it is a strategy for the future that will pay off in the long run, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save local budgets. Others combine both. But for each of them, alternative energy has really become an alternative when standard energy sources have come under attack

Velyko Oleksandrivska community: alternative energy for basic needs

The Velyko Oleksandrivska community in Kherson Oblast was under occupation from the first days of the war until the fall of 2022. The fighting destroyed the water infrastructure, which could have had dire consequences in the arid region. Over the past two years, sixteen local water supply facilities have been equipped with solar power plants with a total capacity of 130 kW. The community was assisted in the implementation of this project by organizations such as JRTR, People in Need, and UNICEF. In the summer, on sunny days, electricity savings due to green energy are up to 50%.

The new infrastructure facilities allow eleven water intake wells to operate without interruption, even in the face of accidents and prolonged power outages. The local water utility is to be transferred to a SCADA system. This is a type of supervisory control and data collection system that allows remote monitoring, collecting, processing and displaying data from sensors. Water supply indicators such as level, pressure, water quality, and flow rate are analyzed. The condition of pumps, valves, and the water supply network is monitored, control is automated, water supply is stabilized in case of emergencies, etc.

"Our community includes 30 villages with 48 wells. The specialists will not just clean the wells, we asked them to install special water meters with pulse data transmission. Since we already have a GSM system router, we can monitor water consumption and rise. You sit on the computer and see how much is being raised. That is, we will monitor not only electricity consumption but also water production to make decisions for the most efficient use," says Ihor Holovko, deputy head of the Velyko Oleksandrivka settlement military administration.

In recent years, the community has implemented a number of energy-saving projects. In addition to sixteen solar panels at the water utility, another communal facility is also equipped with a 50 kW solar power plant. This allows for uninterrupted service provision to the population in the absence of centralized power supply. GIZ helped the residents of Kherson region to implement this project.

It is envisaged that even if one part of the panels does not work, the others will cover the deficit. Since they function as a single system, they should not experience any disruptions and will work at full capacity to cover the generation shortfall. Velyka Oleksandrivka and the surrounding villages had water problems long before the full-scale invasion. All of the wells were drilled in 1978, and after nearly 50 years of continuous operation, they have become contaminated and require cleaning. As a result of the cleaning, the community will increase its water supply by about 50%, which will allow the community to withstand the challenges of martial law more resiliently.

Voznesenska community: investments in development and engagement of partners

The Voznesenska community in Mykolaiv Oblast has been dealing with energy efficiency for almost twenty years. The first energy management was established in 2008, when the community began collecting data on energy consumption. Voznesensk began monitoring which facilities could be potentially interesting for energy efficiency measures, and a sustainable energy development plan was developed, according to which we implemented a set of measures aimed at reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

Prior to the full-scale invasion, the Voznesensk community was active, participating in various projects and competitions focused on energy efficiency and energy conservation. At the beginning of the work, these were existing competitions, when the community applied for pre-planned projects such as the installation of solar stations at the water utility (then in 2021, the first 50 kilowatts were installed at the water utility), but now the community, having experience, submits its ideas and proposals, which sometimes receive approval.

"The root of this activity lies in the inability of our local budget to finance any more or less viable projects in the community. By "inability" I mean that the development budget of our community is two million hryvnias. For this money, you can repair two porches, one fence in a year and, in principle, report to the community about the super successes of the use of budget funds. But we understand that for the sustainability of the community, for its future prospects, we have to work to attract this funding, to be constantly looking for resources," says Victoria Baltser, secretary of the Voznesensk City Council.

In Voznesensk, the development budget, i.e., the funds earned through local taxes, are spent on the preparation of design and estimate documentation. In such circumstances, according to community representatives, it is better to invest in this area. This makes it possible to engage specialists, analyze all the pitfalls and submit practical ideas that will be used to get funding for things that will be implemented.

Victoria Balcer advises potential grantees to show how a particular solution will improve lives. This dramatically increases the chances that the application will receive donor funding. In Voznesensk, despite the limited municipal statistics, local governments collect data and make certain forecasts to assess the impact that the project will have in the future. How it can change the situation in the community as a whole, how it can affect people, and what structural changes it will cause in the proposed sector. Past successfully completed programs serve as a portfolio: if you were able to implement a similar project, it builds a certain amount of trust and allows you to count on new resources.

Artsyzka community: alternative energy for streets and hospitals

After the full-scale invasion, the Artsyzka community was one of the first in Odesa Oblast to face prolonged power outages. Most of the region's residents faced blackouts for the first time in the fall of 2022, while Artsyz residents experienced several days without electricity in the spring. Therefore, the search for alternative energy sources was a no-brainer here, and international partners stepped in to help.

Within the framework of the EU Stronger Regions Program - Special Support Program for Ukraine project, a modern 100 kW solar power plant was installed in the Artsyz Central District. The project was aimed at strengthening municipal institutions that provide social, medical and administrative services. In the face of shelling and regular power outages, the project managed to ensure not only uninterrupted operation but also budgetary savings.

"I can say that the introduction of alternative energy sources in the communal sector of Artsyz community shows high efficiency and serious economic potential. The installation of solar panels and cooperation with international partners allow us to strengthen energy security, reduce the burden on the local budget and improve the quality of public services. We plan to further expand the use of solar power plants, as this is one of our priorities for the sustainable development of all our settlements, " says Serhiy Parpulansky, head of the Artsyz territorial community.

In October 2024, the SPP of the reference hospital started operating and generated 60,445 kWh of electricity in seven months. This volume of production allowed the city to save UAH 575.6 thousand of budget funds, which was a significant result for the local community. The seasonal savings were especially significant: in winter they amounted to 24%, and in spring - up to 50%. These figures clearly demonstrate the significant contribution of the solar power plant to optimizing energy consumption and contributed to the further expansion of energy efficiency programs.

A year earlier, in 2023, the Artsyzka community received 2 kW solar panels for street lighting of the Alley of Love. These solar panels generate an average of 250 kWh of electricity per month, providing an average savings of UAH 2750 per month for the city budget. The experience of the community center extends not only to the city, but also to the villages of the community, such as Delen, Hlavani, Vynohradivka and Zadunaivka. Local health care centers were equipped with solar panels in 2025. Practices that have proven successful in the city are reaching remote settlements.

This material was created as part of the Climate Content Pool project by n-ost.

Мария Шевчук