The Barriers to Independent Power in Multi-Story Buildings
During an interview with political analyst Yuriy Romanenko, property management expert Olga Rublova outlined the technical, financial, and bureaucratic hurdles facing multi-story residential buildings seeking to install independent power systems. She explained that high equipment costs, difficulties in obtaining technical specifications from monopoly energy providers, social conflicts among residents, and challenges with co-financing programs significantly complicate the process. This issue has gained urgency as energy security becomes a critical concern for urban residents.
Rublova stressed that the first major obstacle is technical feasibility, as not every building can simply install a powerful generator. The second issue is financial: the inverter and batteries required to power an elevator and water pumps can cost between $5,000 and $10,000—a significant sum for many homeowners' associations (OSBB).
Bureaucratic Hurdles and Building Management
Bureaucratic difficulties also present a major barrier.
"You enter a bureaucratic nightmare with DTEK or other grid operators. They demand technical specifications and project plans, which sometimes cost more than the equipment itself. That's why many OSBBs do this semi-legally, just to survive,"Rublova noted. This creates additional problems for residents, who face social conflicts when some demand electricity while others demand quiet, complaining about generator noise.
The expert emphasized that to participate in co-financing programs, an OSBB must already have its share of the money ready.
"First, the OSBB must have the money for its share available now. Second, it's an enormous amount of paperwork. You need to hold a meeting, formalize everything in minutes, and submit an application,"she stressed. Many buildings cannot collect the necessary signatures from owners who have already moved away.
Olga Rublova also pointed out that the era of managing buildings without proper education is over.
"A modern building is a complex engineering structure. Pumping stations, individual heating points, fire suppression systems, video surveillance, and now energy systems. This cannot be managed by just an active retiree,"she remarked. It is crucial that such buildings are managed by professionals with relevant education and experience.
The expert also believes the ideal management model is one where the OSBB has its own head as a supervisor, while all technical work is performed by a professional company under contract.
"Then there is someone to hold accountable, and it's clear where the money is going,"she added.
The topic of independent power for high-rises has become pressing amid an unstable energy situation. The problems described by Olga Rublova highlight the serious challenges OSBBs face in trying to provide residents with a stable electricity supply. This issue requires a comprehensive approach, including legislative changes, improved funding and support for OSBBs, and the professionalization of property management. Solving these problems could significantly improve residents' quality of life and ensure greater energy independence for buildings.