Project description

Title: Energy efficiency in buildings
Commissioned by: German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
Country: Ukraine
Lead executing agency: Ministry for Regional Development, Building and Housing of Ukraine
Overall term: 2007 to 2013

Context

Energy intensity – the ratio of primary energy consumed to gross national product – is around 16 times higher in Ukraine than in Germany. This is due to low levels of energy efficiency combined with high emissions. Over 30 % of energy consumed can be attributed to the housing sector. Old buildings are not insulated and have just poor quality windows, while newer building, despite having a small amount of insulation and better windows, still show energy efficiency levels that are significantly below European standards. This is due in part to the poor quality construction work. Similarly, the technical supply systems for heating, electricity and hot water are outdated and are often extremely inefficient. This results in high levels of energy consumption for low levels of comfort.

So far, legislation and state-subsidised energy prices have created very few incentives to undertake measures to improve the situation. There is no strategic energy management at either the state or regional level. Moreover, there are no programmes to support citizens in renovating their buildings or to make people aware of the necessity of energy-saving measures. Complicated ownership structures, legal uncertainties, limited access to loans and a lack of technical advice all make it even more difficult to carry out renovation works.

Objective

The implementation of an effective policy to increase energy efficiency in buildings has improved at national and local levels.

Approach

The urgent priorities for the national energy policy of Ukraine are to create energy savings, improve operating efficiency, secure an adequate energy supply, and prepare and implement effective measures in the construction sector to protect against climate change. At the heart of the Ukrainian-German programme are improvements to the legal, institutional and financial environment that are necessary for an effective policy on energy savings in the construction sector.

The project is advising the Ukrainian Government on drawing up draft legislation to increase energy efficiency in the construction sector and on developing financial support programmes and incentive mechanisms for energy savings in buildings.

At the regional level the focus is on introducing energy management systems in the four pilot cities of Chernigov, Ivano-Frankivsk, Mirgorod and Novohrad-Volynskyi. To this end, regional energy managers are being trained, energy plans for buildings developed, monitoring systems established and sample renovation works arranged to demonstrate energy-saving measures.

The experience and knowledge gained on the subject of energy efficiency in buildings is being shared between the regions in Ukraine through joint workshops with other cities. Practical experience also serves as a foundation for improving national legislative proposals.

In order to promote the development of regional competences, the project is supporting the Institute of Energy Saving and Energy Management (IEE) and its partner institutions across the country in introducing a new training course for energy management in the regions. Together with the association ‘Energy Efficient Cities of Ukraine’, information and awareness campaigns are being set up.

The programme’s regional components are supported by the Integration Consulting Group.

Results achieved so far

In the four pilot cities, energy efficiency offices have been set up in the city administrations and local energy managers have been trained. In collaboration with international experts they are drawing up strategic energy plans for municipal buildings. These contain short and medium-term action plans and act as an instrument for managing future energy savings. Furthermore each city is developing pilot projects, for instance creating energy and cost monitoring systems for municipal buildings or arranging energy-saving renovation works. 20 trainers have completed courses, and are now instructing other local authorities throughout the country on how to introduce energy management.

Further information

• Local website of the project
  http://www.eepp.org.ua