Vision statement

Programme mission:

• To promote and demonstrate development of modern and energy efficient district heating with a significant share of production based on renewable and waste heat sources, aimed at meeting EU requirements for efficient district heating.
• To contribute to improved and efficiency-based planning of district heating systems.
• To facilitate diversification of fuels of Ukrainian district heat generation mix and reduce the use of fossil fuels.
• To empower local communities in Ukraine by facilitating access for municipalities and district heating utilities to external financing aimed at strengthening local infrastructure.

Programme goals:

1. Demonstration projects leading to long-term sustainable development of district heating systems in Ukraine.
2. Increased share of renewable energy sources and waste heat sources for district heating generation.
3. Decreased heat consumption and heat losses in district heating.
4. Decreased environmental and climate impact.
5. Improved quality of district heating services.

Programme objectives:

1. Implement at least four demonstration projects in different Ukrainian municipalities;
2. Make Ukrainian district heating systems more cohesive with the EU Energy Efficiency Directive, i.e. to secure at least:
   • 50% of RES, or
   • 50% waste heat, or
   • 75% cogenerated heat, or
   • 50% of a combination of such energy and heat.
3. Improved quality of district heating services for about 300,000 Ukrainian citizens;
4. Decreased CO₂ emissions by 40-60 000 t/year.

Core values:

The core values of the programme define the terms of the principles and values that our team and partners will follow in carrying out programme activities. The core values include:

• Transparency and accountability. Together, we enable programme stakeholders to express their view about issues that matter to them and a chance to influence decision-making. Each of our team members has a duty to act visibly, predictably and understandably to promote participation and accountability. We realize, that in order to achieve transparency, it is not enough just to make information available. That’s why information prepared as part of the programme is managed in a way that it is relevant and accessible, timely and accurate. Accountability means ensuring that the SUDH team and programme partners are answerable for their actions, including for the use of funds for project implementation.
• Sustainability of project solutions means that the programme shall be implemented with the strategic approach of creating long-term sustainable impacts, including efforts to improve financial and social sustainability. The programme is aimed at developing long-term sustainable district heating systems in Ukraine that allow customers to enjoy a stable and reliable heat supply at affordable prices, as well as becoming platforms for low-carbon heat generation. For that reason, SUDH demonstration projects, among others, are intended to demonstrate increased share of renewable and waste heat sources for district heating generation; decreased heat consumption and heat losses in district heating; as well as improved quality of district heating services.
• Positive environmental and climate results. SUDH project ideas should be directed towards generating positive environmental or climate-related results. Each and every demonstration project will be assessed from an environmental point of view. The demonstration projects should be focused on the introduction of renewable and waste heat sources, enabling efficient district heating production with low environmental and climate impact. We are also willing to develop projects that help boost the implementation of Nordic green solutions, adapted to Ukrainian conditions.
• Non-discrimination and gender equality compliance. The demonstration projects under the programme intend to positively benefit both the service providers and their customers who include citizens of all ages as well as society in general. Although district heating projects may at first appear to benefit everyone equally in a community, women and men may have different needs and priorities in terms of how a service should be designed and delivered, especially where these needs relate to different economic activities and care responsibilities. Therefore, it is important to examine within the programme, who is affected and in what manner, so as to enable equitable distribution of project benefits for all groups of society.

We have summarised our vision and the specific objectives we aim to achieve, in the SUDH Vision Statement that is available for download at the bottom of this page.