Odessa's Energy Autonomy Takes a Step Forward
The city of Odessa has initiated the first phase of building a distributed generation system utilizing gas engine cogeneration units.
This project is being implemented in collaboration with the UNDP team and representatives from the embassies of Japan, Norway, and Sweden as part of the decentralization of the urban energy system.
At one of Odessa's boiler houses, the first cogeneration unit has already been installed. According to Odessa's deputy mayor Anna Pozdnyakova, cogeneration units are crucial for the heating sector due to their independence from centralized energy supply, high energy efficiency, and rapid adaptability and recovery. They can start up quickly, allowing for the swift restoration of heat supply to homes.
At the ceremony marking the transfer of the gas engine power plant to the municipal heat supply company, attendees included: the UNDP permanent representative in Ukraine Mr. Yako Silje, the deputy head of the Norwegian embassy mission in Ukraine Mr. Jan Flete, the Japanese ambassador to Ukraine Mr. Masashi Nakagome (via video link), the Swedish ambassador to Ukraine Mr. Martin Oberg, the deputy minister of energy of Ukraine Mykola Kolysnyk (via video link), and the UNDP program director for green energy recovery Julia Rybak.
«I am especially grateful to our partners in Yokohama, with whom I signed a memorandum in March 2023, enabling Odessa to acquire the necessary equipment. Thanks to the support from Japan, Norway, and Sweden, we have not only installed the first unit but also prepared sites for the next ones. From now on, we will be able to supply electricity to heating, water supply, and sewage facilities», stated Gennadiy Trukhanov.
The project will help Odessa become more resilient to energy challenges, particularly those faced during previous blackouts.
By the end of the year, the delivery of two more such machines is expected. All preparatory work for their installation has been completed.
