A solar power station for the water utility

Energy Act for Ukraine Foundation has launched the construction of a ground-mounted hybrid solar station that will supply electricity to a water utility in the Kirovohrad region. This project is implemented with the support of Mercy Corps.

The importance of building this solar station cannot be overstated, as the water utility it will power serves the administrative center of the community, which has a population of nearly 16,000 people. The municipal enterprise is not only responsible for water supply but also maintains sewer systems, treats wastewater, collects waste, provides landscaping services, and carries out road construction for the community.

Taking into account the enterprise's energy needs, the solar station is expected to generate 108,367 kWt/h of electricity annually. This will allow the community to save over €24,000 each year. In case of emergency power outages, the utility will be able to operate autonomously for approximately four hours.

The relevance of the project was explained by the mayor of the community where the power plant is being built: “During the years of the full-scale invasion, we repeatedly faced the problem of powering the water utility during electricity outages. This posed a direct risk of water supply disruptions across the entire community. We felt it especially acutely in the summer, when water demand is at its highest. That’s why the construction of this solar station is not just a technical solution, but a step towards energy independence and stability for the whole community. I thank our partners for their support during these difficult times”.

“For us, building a solar station is not only about supporting the livelihood of communities. It’s our contribution to the country’s resilience today and its sustainable development tomorrow. Step by step, with all our efforts, we are moving toward our goal,” said Yuliana Onishchuk, CEO & Founder of the Foundation.

In addition to strengthening the region’s energy resilience, the completed solar station will enable the community to reduce CO2 emissions by 43.78 tonnes annually — equivalent to planting approximately 2,200 trees that absorb carbon dioxide.

The construction of the hybrid solar station in the Kirovohrad region is part of the foundation’s “Solar water utilities” initiative. The Energy Act for Ukraine Foundation continues to expand the geographical reach of its projects, focusing on the priority needs of communities.

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