What Is Known About the Backup Heat Main to Teremky
Tree cutting in the forest strip on Teremky has been paused for now, where a heating pipeline is planned. This was announced by Kyiv city deputy head Petro Panteleiev at a KCSA press conference. He said there is currently no alternative route for the heat line. Activists, however, note that the 2023 version of the project called for running the network along Teremkivska Street rather than through the trees.
Panteleiev argued the street route is technically unworkable because of existing sewer systems. The project that passed state expert review was designed before the full-scale invasion began, and about 6 million hryvnias from the tender have already been spent on it. That version involves laying the heating network through the forest belt. Work is paused until Tuesday, August 11, when the Holosiiv district administration plans to present the project to the public. Construction of the new heat line for the Teremky-1 and Teremky-2 residential areas started on July 31 in the Holosiiv district as part of Kyiv's Resilience Plan.
Environmental Impact and Public Response
The felling started on July 24 in the green belt between the Respublika residential complex and the older buildings on Teremkivska Street. In 2019, the area was given recreation park status, and some of the trees are more than a century old. KCSA officials said the site will be fully restored after the work, with new trees, shrubs and other plants to be planted.
“We understand people who oppose removing the greenery, and we would not be doing this unless it were truly necessary, but there is no other corridor for the pipeline. Work on this site has been paused for proper dialogue, and we are trying to find a solution that allows us to prepare for winter while preserving as many plantings as possible.”
Petro Panteleiev, Deputy Head of the Kyiv City State Administration
This standoff underscores the tricky trade-off between infrastructure needs and protecting natural areas. The temporary suspension could open space for deeper discussion and community input. It is crucial that city authorities weigh all available options so that both residents' needs and environmental concerns are addressed. The case also reflects a broader challenge for Kyiv as it balances wartime preparations for winter with urban green space preservation.