The USAID Project developed an investment project for implementing energy efficiency measures for the heat supply system in Zaporizhzhia. Its implementation will improve living conditions for 106,000 households in three districts of the city serviced by “Municipal Heating Networks” Concern: Komunarskyi, Oleksandrivskyi and Voznesenivskyi.

Diana Korsakaite, Chief of Party of the USAID Project, spoke at a signing ceremony with important implications for Energy Efficiency projects in Kyiv. “The USAID Municipal Energy Reform Project in Ukraine actively supports the implementation of energy efficiency measures and the attraction of investments in the housing sector of the Ukrainian capital. Next week we will open a free information hotline on saving energy, programs to support energy efficiency measures, the establishment of condominiums, and other issues. Anyone can get free expert advice on how to properly insulate a house, how to save energy, how to create condominiums, how to receive a loan and compensation for implementing energy efficiency projects in buildings under state and municipal programs, etc.”

The event marked the signing of an agreement between the Department of Housing and Communal Infrastructure of the KSCA, with Oshchadbank and Ukrgazbank regarding the reimbursement of the "warm" loans principal for the residents of Kyiv. The agreement envisages that 40% of the loan for the materials and equipment is reimbursed by the State Agency for Energy Efficiency, and 30% by the city of Kyiv. The maximum amount of compensation from the municipal budget is UAH 14,000 per apartment per year. It is expected that funding from the local budget in 2016 will reach at least UAH 4 million.

A national forum called the Energy Efficiency Fund; Ukraine's Key Start-up was held with support of the USAID Municipal Energy Reform Project in Ukraine (USAID Project) in Kyiv on 23 June. The event was attended by 700 persons, including the top management of Ukrainian and international companies, national manufacturers of energy efficient equipment and products, foreign investors, representatives of international organizations and financial corporations. The Forum has become a communication platform for dialog between the government, business community, representatives of OSBBs, and international institutions. Diana Korsakaite, USAID Project's chief of party, took part in the Forum's discussion panel: "Where to get the money for reform implementation? Monetization of subsidies, loans, donor assistance."  She stressed in her speech the need of developing the necessary legislative and regulatory framework for commercial accounting of all communal services without exception, as being the right way to provide incentives to consumers for them to implement energy efficient measures.

The 2016 European Sustainable Energy Week was launched in June in Lutsk with participation of the USAID Municipal Energy Reform Project (USAID Project), representatives of the European Union in Ukraine, Lutsk City Council, and the Volynska Oblast State Administration, as well as other international and Ukrainian partners. The fest was organized by the Energy Efficient Cities of Ukraine Association.

During the opening ceremony, the USAID Project Chief of Party, Diana Korsakaite has noted in her speech: "The European Sustainable Energy Week is a great platform for discussing energy saving measures, and finding new partners in the field of energy performance. Our Project supports 17 Ukrainian cities, including Lutsk. We are assisting these cities in implementing energy efficiency measures and clean energy initiatives. The main goal of this assistance is reducing the import of fossil fuels and lowering greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere. The USAID Project is prepared to assist in attracting investments in Lutsk, as it will help improve the life of city residents.". Read more<<