Kyiv region installing additional 150 MW of distributed gas generation, regional chief says

This was stated by Head of the Kyiv Regional State Administration Mykola Kalashnyk in a comment to Ukrinform on the sidelines of the Second International Cohesion Forum, responding to a question about the implementation of the region’s resilience plan.

“If we talk about decentralizing energy generation, we are at a high level of readiness. As for solar energy, we already have 201 facilities in place with a total capacity of 311 MW. This is a significant volume – one of the largest in the country. Until now, we had no opportunity to develop wind generation. We are now actively working on this and have relevant projects with a potential of up to 1 GW across the region. We also have a large, unprecedented number of distributed gas generation units – 81 installations with a total capacity of 103 MW. Technical conditions have been issued for an additional approximately 150 MW, which is currently being installed. So, we are moving at a rapid pace, and these projects will be implemented as effectively as possible by September 1,” he said.

Commenting on other aspects of the resilience plan, Kalashnyk noted that measures to decentralize water supply are currently at an early stage of implementation. According to him, after the end of the heating season, modernization of worn-out heating networks and the creation of alternative heat supply systems have begun.

In addition, the Head of the Kyiv Regional State Administration emphasized that assistance from partners will be needed to get through the next heating season, particularly in the form of additional generators.

“There is equipment we still need, including generators, as they tend to wear out. We have seen the peak loads at which generators operated during periods of prolonged, multi-hour outages and blackouts. Generators require servicing after 50 operating hours – replacing components and oil. Sometimes this can be done on-site; sometimes they need to be removed and taken to service stations. Therefore, it is logical to maintain reserves of at least 50% of the equipment currently installed and operating at infrastructure facilities – boiler houses, water supply, and wastewater systems,” he explained.

Kalashnyk added that the Kyiv region has already received assistance from France in the form of solar power plants, including container-type units: 68 containers with a capacity of 105 kW each, totaling 7 MW. According to him, these stations are operating at heat supply facilities. At the same time, Israel has provided more than 100 portable backup power systems, which are being installed in the largest towns of the region – Brovary and Bila Tserkva – at healthcare facilities.

As reported, in March, President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree enacting the decision of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine “On Comprehensive Resilience Plans for Regions and Certain Cities.”

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