#AASuccessStories is a column about Ukrainians, who benefit from the
Association Agreement with the EU and enjoy opportunities for
cooperation with the European Union.
The project “Energy Efficient Hnivan — Energy Policy for Sustainable
Development of Hnivan” is funded by the European Union under the
EU4Energy initiative and the program “Covenant of Mayors —
Demonstration Projects” and is implemented by Hnivan City Council in
partnership with NGO “Euroregion Dniester”. The project started in May
2018. Its completion is scheduled for April 2021. The total budget is
970,913 euros. 757,312 euros are provuded by the European Union, the
rest — by Hnivan City Council. This project is the largest in Vinnytsia
region.
“Titanic work has preceded the realization of this project. We were the
forth who joined the Covenant of Mayors initiative in Vinnytsia region
in 2015. Then we worked on the development of the Sustainable Energy
Action Plan for about two years. And only the implementation of all
these steps allowed us to take part with this project, in 2017, in the
competition of the European Commission and to win it. Then we were the
only one who fulfilled all the conditions for participation in the
competition from Vinnytsia region and became one of the 6 winners in
Ukraine on a par with large regional centers”, — Hnivan Mayor
Volodymyr
Kuleshov says.
Within the framework of this large-scale project, four kindergartens of
the city will be reconstructed and energy modernization of the
apartment buildings will be carried out. Almost 5,000 residents (more
than a third of the city's population) will receive warm and
energy-efficient housing, and children will receive warm and renovated
kindergartens.
What has already been implemented
within the project as of today?
The construction works on thermal modernization of 2 kindergartens —
No. 1 and No. 3 have already started. Builders are working on replacing
the heating system, installing underfloor heating in game rooms,
dismantling the old and installing a new roof, as well as levelling the
exterior walls before insulation.
“Technical inspections of buildings, energy audits were performed,
design and estimate documentation was developed, expertise and tenders
were conducted before we started the reconstruction itself. At each
stage, we worked not only within the framework of Ukrainian
legislation, but also in accordance with the European standards in
close cooperation with the Support Team and Austrian experts”, —
project coordinator
Eugene
Tkach says.
In general, the following types of works are planned: replacement of
heating and ventilation systems, installation of new energy-saving
windows, wall insulation and partial replacement of structures,
modernization of interior lighting, installation of outdoor lights with
alternative energy sources. Thanks to this, about 350 kids and 100
staff of 4 preschools will be provided with comfortable conditions for
the educational process.
It is expected that such energy efficiency measures will annually:
reduce heat consumption by about 70% in each kindergarten, reduce CO2
emissions by a total of more than 200 tons, reduce the total costs for
the local budget for energy by about 30 thousand euros.
“The goal of this project in Hnivan is not only comfortable conditions
and energy savings, but also the reduction of negative impact on the
environment and climate change. And it depends not only on budgetary
institutions, but on all citizens and organizations of the city.
Therefore, together with the thermal modernization of kindergartens,
the project is conducting an active information and educational
campaign among the residents of the community, an energy management
system as well as the Municipal Energy Efficiency Fund will be created.
In 2021, this Fund will finance energy efficiency modernization in
apartment buildings by saving budget funds on energy for
kindergartens”, — project communication expert
Anastasia
Lanova added.
The Covenant of Mayors is the world's largest movement for local
climate and energy actions. Thanks to joining this initiative Hnivan
made it possible to implement this huge energy efficiency project. The
European Initiative the Covenant of Mayors brings together thousands of
local authorities who have voluntarily committed themselves to
achieving the EU’s climate and energy goals. The signatories undertake
to take measures to achieve the goal of reducing greenhouse gas
emissions by at least 20% by 2020 and 30% by 2030 and to develop a
common approach to tackling climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Based on the materials of the website of the Hnivan United Territorial
Community, the Vinnytsia Agency for Investigative Journalism and the
Facebook page “Energy Efficient Hnivan — Energy Policy for Sustainable
Development”.