Sumy Approved Sustainable Energy Action Plan
On 28 September, the deputies of the Sumy City Council supported the Sustainable Action Plan (SEAP) through 2025. The document was developed with support of the USAID Municipal Energy Reform Project (USAID Project).
If all the projects planned in the SEAP are implemented, the annual reduction of СО2 emissions would be 134,600 t (26.2% of emissions in the baselineyear of 2013), andfuel and energy resources of over 371,600 MWh/year (21.3%) would be saved. Over the whole period of SEAP implementation, expenses for the fuel and energy resources would fall byat least UAH 1.7 billion (at current tariffs). Should the tariffs increase, this amount will be higher. The plan also calls to replace 10.8 million m3 of natural gas (5.8%) with renewable energy sources.
Nine sources are being considered for the financing of the SEAP projects, in particular: funds of the state and oblast budgets, companies, private investments, grant and credit funds of the international financial institutions, etc. The total amount is over UAH 1.3 billion (of which UAH 185.6 millioncomes fromlocal budget funds).
SEAP is a document developed by the signatories of the Covenant of Mayors (the leading initiative of the European Union, which involves local and regional authorities) for fulfilling voluntary obligations to reduce CO2 emissions by 2020 by at least 20%, thus contributing to the development of environmentally oriented economy and quality of life improvement.