We have planned for 2018 and submitted the sum worth 1.8 billion hryvnias in the budget resolution for the financing of the Energy Efficiency Fund and the Warm Loans program. In addition, about 3 billion hryvnias is the financing the European Union expresses readiness to grant. This was stated by Vice Prime Minister/ Minister of Regional Development, Construction, Housing and Utilities Hennadii Zubko in an interview with the Ukrainian News Agency.

According to him, it is viewed as appropriate an approach to introduce the dependence of allocated budget funds on energy efficiency on the size of subsidies or GDP. "For example, the article in the Budget Code stipulates for 1% of GDP or 5-10% of the amount of subsidies to spend on energy efficiency. The higher the expenses on subsidies, the more it is necessary to invest in energy efficiency. Hopefully, when considering the state budget for 2018, we will resolve the issue of smooth financing", Zubko emphasized.

"In the framework of the launch of the Energy Efficiency Fund, we have an agreement with the EU that energy efficiency consulting centers will be set up in each regional hub. Their essential objective is to give recommendations and provide correct technical solutions for the implementation of integrated thermo-modernization of buildings", explained Hennadii Zubko.

In his view, among crucial goals is to transform a subsidy from expenditures into investment. “Monetization of subsidies, in particular, of the saved balance, turns them into investments. We have no right to spend hundreds of billions per annum. We must define a period for the state to provide support for people. However, these resources should motivate people to save and introduce energy-efficient measures. Consumers should be provided with a tool and be demonstrated that thrift allows them to have energy efficiency measures compensated”, said Hennadii Zubko, adding that installation of individual heat supply unit entails a 25%economy, while full thermo-modernization - 50-60%.

Another key issue, according to him, is investment by local governments into communal infrastructure.