Four communities to receive €2.5 million for the construction of solar power plants
The communities of Khmelivska, Synivska, Talalaivska, and Pryluky will be the first to receive funding for the construction of their own solar power plants under the Energy Sustainability and Independence of Communities programme. This was reported to the media by Kernel's communications team.
These four communities from the Sumy and Chernihiv regions have completed the training stage of the programme and presented their own energy projects.
Solar energy for critical infrastructure
The initiative plans to build solar power plants with a total installed capacity of over 4.6 MW. This will ensure uninterrupted power supply to 55 social and critical infrastructure facilities, including schools, hospitals, kindergartens, and other institutions.
The total budget of the programme is €2.5 million. Currently, it covers communities in the Sumy and Chernihiv regions.
The programme is being implemented by the Serhiy Nizhny Kyiv School of Public Administration (KSPPA) and the Together with Kernel Charitable Foundation. To implement the projects, the foundation is attracting funding from international donors, European governments, partners from the United States and banking institutions.
Project preparation and competition
Before the start of funding, the organisers conducted a three-month educational programme for representatives of 11 frontline communities. Participants learned how to form energy balances, model the work of utilities, in particular water utilities, and develop municipal energy plans.
"Energy independence is not only about security, it is also an opportunity. An opportunity to save resources, invest in schools, kindergartens, hospitals; an opportunity to free up the budget and direct it towards development," said Lilia Marachkanets, Head of CSR at Kernel and Director of the Together with Kernel Charitable Foundation.
The community projects were evaluated by a professional jury with the participation of representatives of international and Ukrainian institutions, including UNDP, UNICEF, GIZ, the State Agency for Energy Efficiency, the Ukraine Decarbonisation Fund, and relevant energy associations.
The organisers emphasised that the funding of the first four communities is only the initial stage. Other ideas submitted will also be followed up to find resources and implement them.
About the organisers
The Together with Kernel Charitable Foundation has been operating since 2013 and has invested UAH 1.47 billion in the development of 190 communities in 12 regions of Ukraine. Its activities focus on supporting communities through investments in infrastructure, education and human capital.
The Serhiy Nizhny Kyiv School of Public Administration is an educational platform that trains specialists for public administration and local self-government.
