A tale of two buildings: the building on the left after USAID provided energy efficient insulation; on the right - a building that remains energy inefficient.

Rachel Chilton

USAID leads efforts to decrease energy dependence and CO2 emissions in Ukraine by reducing waste and inefficiency in central heating systems. 

USAID energy programs improve Ukraine’s energy efficiency and reduce the country’s critical dependence on energy imports. USAID works with Ukrainian leaders to reform Ukraine’s extremely energy-intensive municipal heating sector by strengthening the legal, regulatory, and institutional frameworks necessary to improve heating services. USAID also assists Ukraine’s efforts to create a social safety net to keep heat affordable to vulnerable populations.

Current programs

Municipal Energy Reform Project (MERP)
Implementer: International resources group Ltd. (IRG)
September 27, 2013 – March 31, 2018

The goal of the Municipal Energy Reform Program is to reduce and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions in Ukraine resulting from the poor use of energy resources, which will lead to strengthened energy security and economic growth.

The Project will 1) support improvements in the clean energy regulatory and legislative enabling environment; 2) promote investment in clean energy technologies and applications; 3) provide capacity building training and awareness raising; 4) enhance the capacity of the Government of Ukraine in low emission development strategies.

Energy Sector Anticorruption and Fiscal Transparency Initiative in Ukraine (Transparent Energy)
Implementer: DiXi Group
June 15, 2016 – December 14, 2018

The Energy Sector Anticorruption and Fiscal Transparency Initiative in Ukraine (Transparent Energy) combats corruption and improves fiscal transparency in Ukraine’s energy sector by disclosing, analyzing, and publicizing energy sector information commonly obscured from public view. The project benefits many stakeholders, including household consumers, journalists, experts, and businesses.  The activity monitors and collects data; initiates journalist investigations, information inquiries, and a public pressure campaign; and explores innovative models for disclosing fiscal information to the public, including legislative initiatives that would institute regularized public reporting of key energy data.

Building Capacity for Energy Sector Reform: Sharing Slovak Experience with Ukraine
Implementer: The Research Center of the Slovak Foreign Policy Association (RCSFPA)
October 2016 – October 2017

By showcasing Slovakia's experience and best practices reforming its energy sector, particularly in improving energy efficiency and utilizing renewables, Ukrainian regulators will see how Slovakia implemented EU programs and integrated EU mandates into its laws and policies. The program (1) trains representatives of Ukrainian municipalities on current EU and Slovak rules and practices and (2) raises Ukrainian public awareness regarding EU energy efficiency and renewable energy policies.

Ukraine Gas Transmission System Operator (TSO) Support to the Energy Ministry
Project Period: March 2017 – November 2017

This is a subcontract with Grant Thornton under a USAID/Washington cooperative agreement with the United States Energy Association (USEA). USAID/Ukraine will work as the Activity Manager to oversee the subcontractor. The purpose of the work is to assist the Ministry of Energy and Coal Industries (MECI) and the newly established gas transmission system operator, Main Gas Pipeline of Ukraine (MGU). Grant Thornton will complete three tasks.

1. Develop a Roadmap to establish the MGU through the unbundling of Naftogaz.
2. Develop an Action Plan for the Ministry of Energy and Coal Industries (MECI) to guide implementing parties, including but not limited to other Ministries, in the management of Naftogaz and its constituent elements (e.g., Ukrgazvyodobuvannyya (UVG) and UkrTransGaz) through the Roadmap Unbundling Process.  The action plan will detail the steps to be taken by the implementing party (or parties) to initiate the unbundling process in compliance with EU's Energy Community Secretariat requirements.
3. Develop Terms of Reference and qualification requirements for a management consultant to support the new MGU management.