Ukraine Braces for a More Difficult Heating Season
The upcoming heating season in Ukraine and its capital, Kyiv, is expected to be more challenging than the last. Oleg Popenko, head of the Union of Consumers of Utility Services, warns that approximately 1,400 buildings in Kyiv remain particularly vulnerable. He advises residents to prepare for self-sufficiency and not to rely on state support programs, a stark warning given the ongoing strain on the country's energy infrastructure from the war.
Popenko stressed the need for specific equipment: buildings over nine stories must have a generator to power elevators and pump systems, while buildings up to nine stories should have at least an inverter with batteries for pumps and common area lighting. He dismissed the idea that municipal enterprises will repair the heating systems in time, bluntly stating:
“No one is coming to help,” — Oleg Popenko
Criticism of New Proposals and Alternative Solutions
Among the new initiatives under discussion are the state 'eFirewood' program and draft law No. 10467, which would mandate that individual heating units (IHUs) be installed by the monopolistic utility Teplokomunenerho. Popenko criticizes this approach, arguing that a company which sells heat has no incentive to promote energy efficiency:
“IHUs are great for saving energy. But they've made it law for Teplokomunenerho to install them!” — Oleg Popenko
Popenko also expressed doubts about the effectiveness of solar panels installed in Kyiv, which he says operate at only 1-2% capacity in winter. “The roofs have shown that solar panels there simply don't work in winter,” he said. He cited the example of Poland in the late 1990s, where the government distributed solid-fuel boilers en masse during an energy crisis, which helped people survive a difficult period.
The expert proposes a series of alternative measures:
- Redirect budget programs to purchase generators for residents;
- Adopt Poland's model of distributing solid-fuel boilers;
- Expand the 'eFirewood' program to forested regions with compensation;
- Transfer the right to install IHUs to building managers, supported by low-interest loans.
These steps could help ensure more reliable heating for Kyiv residents in the future.
With the threat of further energy crises, the importance of household preparedness and autonomy has never been clearer. Residents should heed expert advice, as reliance on traditional municipal systems may prove insufficient. While the proposed initiatives could significantly improve the heating situation, their implementation will require concerted effort from both the state and local communities.