Briefly
The Cabinet of Ministers has proposed a pilot program for Kyiv: the state will pay for the purchase and installation of batteries, inverters and generators for apartment buildings, while residents will cover fuel, maintenance and repair costs. Participation is voluntary and requires the consent of co-owners.
Project mechanics
Under the government resolution, the Kyiv City State Administration must, within 30 days, compile a list of buildings that meet the criteria and determine the required funding. After that, the government will adopt a separate decision to allocate the funds. The pilot will be implemented as an experiment with possible expansion to other cities.
"The state will finance the purchase and installation of equipment, provided the co-owners assume the operating costs."
— Yuliia Svyrydenko, Prime Minister
Why this step is being taken now
Last winter Ukraine experienced one of its toughest energy crises: massive strikes on infrastructure caused prolonged blackouts, loss of heating and school closures. In Kyiv temperatures fell to -25°C, and a number of combined heat and power plants suffered critical damage — in particular Darnytska CHPP-4 was put out of service after a strike on February 3, while CHPP-5 and CHPP-6 also sustained serious damage (for details, see LIGA.net).
In response, cities submitted "resilience plans" totaling about UAH 278 billion. The Cabinet's proposal is one of the rapid responses to the need to decentralize backup power and ensure basic building infrastructure during emergencies.
What it provides and the pitfalls
The advantages are clear: faster restoration of residential services during blackouts, reduced risks for vulnerable groups, and preservation of elevator operation and engineering systems. But there are issues:
- Financial burden on residents. Fuel and maintenance could become a significant expense for condominium associations (HOAs) and residents.
- Social equity. What about large families, pensioners or low-income neighborhoods — are compensations envisaged?
- Standards and safety. Clear operating rules and accountability for technical condition are needed so generators do not become sources of accidents or fires.
"The pilot is a sensible short-term measure to increase resilience, but its success will depend on a clear financial model and social protection mechanisms."
— energy sector analysts
What’s next
Now the ball is in the local authorities' and co-owners' court: will they agree to assume operation, and will the government support turning the pilot into a systemic resilience policy. This decision combines state responsibility for equipment with a civic response in the form of support for one’s own housing — a test of society’s and authorities’ ability to prepare for new challenges.
If the pilot works, it could become part of a broader strategy — from decentralized backup to comprehensive solutions that protect citizens’ everyday lives even under shelling.
