Kyiv, 15^th of December 2023 – Under the coordination of Ukraine's Ministry of Energy and with financial support from the European Union (EU), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has conducted assessments of 26 healthcare facilities in the Kyiv, Odesa, Zhytomyr, and Volyn regions. These assessments have informed detailed feasibility studies on energy efficiency, paving the way for the implementation of alternative power sources, and enhancing the self-sufficiency of these essential healthcare facilities.

Since the onset of the full-scale Russian invasion, Ukrainian hospitals have faced unparalleled challenges. As of February 2023, the UNDP Human Impact Assessment indicates that one in ten Ukrainian hospitals has suffered direct damage from attacks. Furthermore, these healthcare institutions are contending with electricity shortages and blackouts due to extensive infrastructure attacks, while simultaneously dealing with an increasing number of patients. 

To boost the energy resilience of Ukrainian hospitals, UNDP experts, working closely with the Ministry of Energy, assessed selected facilities from September to October 2023. These assessments, which included analysing electricity usage, staff surveys, and building inspections, led to recommendations for energy consumption reduction and alternative energy feasibility. The proposed measures aim to provide a stable power supply for 26 hospitals, serving over 46,000 patients annually.

The audits were conducted within the joint EU-UNDP "Support to Early Recovery in War-affected Areas in Ukraine," to facilitate the European Commission’s initiative of donating 5,700 solar panels from ENEL company to Ukrainian social infrastructure buildings, announced in spring 2023. Preliminary assessments indicate that donated solar power systems can potentially decrease the overall electricity usage of 26 facilities by 25 percent, consequently reducing electricity costs. 

Herman Galushchenko, Minister of Energy of Ukraine, expressed his gratitude to partners from the European Commission, UNDP and the ENEL company for participating in the implementation of this initiative: "The installation of solar panels on civil infrastructure facilities will allow to ensure autonomous and stable energy supply to consumers even in the face of potential hostile attacks on Ukrainian energy system facilities."

Peter M. Wagner, Director of the European Commission’s Service for Foreign Policy Instruments, emphasized the  importance of supporting the energy sector: "Securing a reliable energy supply for Ukrainian hospitals is not a matter of convenience; it is a vital lifeline,” he said. “Ukraine is bracing itself against renewed Russian attempts to destroy its critical civilian infrastructure. We are supporting  Ukraine in building its resilience. In the long-term, in view of reconstruction, we are convinced that embracing green energy will remain key not only for its  resilience but also its European integration."

UNDP Resident Representative Jaco Cilliers highlighted the organization's forward-thinking, build-back-better approach: "Our goal extends beyond mere restoration; we are committed to helping Ukraine rebuild in a way that not only repairs but revolutionizes. Through our efforts, we aim to foster a more resilient, sustainable, and carbon-conscious nation for future generations.” 

Media enquiries: Yuliia Samus, Communications Team Leader, UNDP in Ukraine; e-mail: yuliia.samus@undp.org