Greenpeace pilot brings heat pumps and solar to Ukrainian community

Summary

An apartment building in Trostianets in eastern Ukraine, badly damaged during the Russian occupation in 2022, has now been fully renovated and equipped with modern heating technology based on heat pumps and solar power. The pilot project for sustainable reconstruction is just one demonstration of how European support can help make heating in Ukraine secure, affordable and independent.Biohaus Stiftung seeks support for UkraineGas and coal as heat sourcesUkraine currently meets most of its heating needs with natural gas and coal. Since the beginning of the war, Russian bombardment has knocked out around 60 percent of the country's gas supply, and many Ukrainian households are once again facing a difficult winter.The project, underway since the end of 2023, is focused on the renovation and energy upgrade of a five-storey, 60-apartment block. “The pilot project shows how important decentralised, resilient reconstruction with renewable energy is, rather than fossil gas,” says Andree Böhling, Project Manager at Greenpeace.Heat pumps and solar energy now supply a large residential building in full, a first for Ukraine. Böhling urges: “Solutions like this should be prioritised over gas heating in EU-funded reconstruction.”SOLARsk delivers solar park with Ukrainian-made trackerBlueprint for green reconstructionThe new heating system includes five thermal storage tanks of around 2,000 litres each, alongside a heat exchanger for hot water. The total investment in the heating system came to €218,000.The project is intended to help implement the “Masterplan for Green Reconstruction” developed by the city of Trostianets in 2023. Here, the overarching aim is to establish concepts for sustainable heating in large residential buildings and make the city a model for Ukraine.Trostianets lies just 35 kilometres from the Russian border. Despite the attacks, the number of residents has risen. “We want reconstruction that makes our community stronger and more independent,” says Mayor Yuri...