Vice Prime Minister: We have sufficient resources for energy efficiency programs in 2018

The insulation of residential building allows to save 5 % of unwanted heat loss. The installation of an individual heat point economizes 20-25%. Full thermo-modernization gives another about 25-35%. We have examples when after a complete rehabilitation of buildings we managed to achieve energy savings of up to 67%. This was stated by Vice Prime Minister, Minister of Regional Development, Construction, Housing and Utilities of Ukraine Hennadii Zubko in an interview with the Obozrevatel.

He emphasized the process of recoupment of expenses does not exceed three years.

The Vice Prime Minister stressed a sum worth UAH 400 million for "warm loans" programs is planned in this year’s state budget. "But, besides this, the Energy Efficiency Fund will allocate another UAH 1.6 billion. If we are talking about co-financing, then we need to attract another UAH 1.6 billion. It will make up the sum worth UAH 3.2 billion. Recently, the review of the financial agreement between the EU and Ukraine on allocation of 100 million euros on energy efficiency projects has just been wound up. That will be enough for this year", he underscored.

"Investment should be directed to energy efficiency. The first step towards monetization of subsidies at the level of communal heat-power enterprises has been made. Next year, we set the objective aimed to ensure monetization of subsidies of households. We would like to see the subsidies saved through the modernization return to the Fund as an investment in energy efficiency," Hennadii Zubko underscored.

According to him, at present 6.5 million families receive state support from partial to full payment of utilities. "The problem is that the recipients of the subsidies are absolutely not motivated to implement energy-saving measures, because the state is covering the cost of household expenses. The target is to provide motivation for people. Our proposal is simple: the house is undergoing modernization for the money borrowed by the bank, the state compensates it 50% of the cost, after which the house automatically receives up to 50% savings, which means saving of subsidies, and these money is returned to the Energy Efficiency Fund", the Vice Prime Minister stated.

Hennadii Zubko emphasized the necessity to verify people who receive subsidies and added that there unacceptable examples when people live not in Ukraine, but still receive subsidies.