Kyiv Authorities Deny Tree Cutting at Teremky Amid Backup Heating Network Construction

Update on the Backup Heating Network Project in Teremky

According to Рубрика — Суспільство: The Kyiv City State Administration (KCSA) has refuted claims that tree felling has resumed at Teremky during the installation of a backup heating pipeline. Construction and installation activities are currently underway, following a revised and optimized project plan. This backup heating network is designed to ensure uninterrupted heat supply to the Teremky-1 and Teremky-2 residential areas in case of an emergency or if the local thermal power plant (TPP) ceases operation.

According to Kyivteploenergo, the utility managing the project, approximately 160 trees will be preserved. Around 10 trees are scheduled for removal, while the remaining trees will undergo pruning. Excavators are presently digging trenches for the pipeline, and fencing has been erected around the construction site. The KCSA emphasized that reports of renewed large-scale tree cutting are false and confirmed that the ongoing work strictly involves laying the backup heating line.

Community Concerns and Environmental Impact

Residents of Teremky have voiced strong demands for the continuation of construction to guarantee reliable heating during the winter. Following consultations with the public, scientists, and experts, a list of project adjustments was developed to ensure compliance with existing legal, construction, technical, and environmental standards.

It is important to note that tree removal in the forest belt at Teremky began on July 24, with hundreds of trees, some over a century old, cut down by August.

The backup heating line construction commenced on July 31 in Kyiv’s Holosiivskyi district as part of the city’s Resilience Plan. The KCSA stated that no alternative routes for the pipeline are technically feasible. On August 11, work was temporarily halted for two weeks to conduct further project reviews and explore other options. Once construction is complete, the area will be fully restored with new trees, shrubs, and vegetation.

Security measures at the site include around 50 police officers guarding the construction equipment.

The project has sparked environmental concerns among locals due to the potential loss of green spaces. Nonetheless, the KCSA reassures that the majority of trees will be preserved under the updated project plan. This initiative plays a critical role in securing stable heat delivery to residential neighborhoods, especially during the harsh winter months. Reliable heating infrastructure is a vital priority for the safety and comfort of Kyiv’s residents.

While the Kyiv authorities maintain that tree cutting is not occurring, some experts have identified alternative routes for the heating network that could potentially minimize environmental impact. This development raises questions about the feasibility of avoiding disruption in Teremky Park, which has been a focal point of community concern amidst ongoing construction efforts.