Financial gap: 80/20 vs. 50/50
Preparation for the 2026–2027 heating season in Ukraine is taking place against the backdrop of a serious funding imbalance between the capital and regional centers. As reported by RBK-Ukraine citing Alexander Kharchenko, director of the Energy Research Center, the government has agreed with most regions on co-financing "resilience plans" in a ratio of 80% (national budget) to 20% (regional budget). However, despite regions having already contributed their shares, funds from the state treasury have not yet arrived, putting the execution of work in cities at risk.
In this situation, Kyiv demonstrates an exceptional position. Thanks to greater financial capabilities, the city has negotiated a 50/50 expense split with the government. Moreover, the capital authorities are implementing additional programs beyond the approved figures, which constitute a significant contribution to overall energy security. While preparation in the regions is proceeding with difficulty, Kyiv has already completed more than 50% of the work provided for in the resilience plan.
Ambitions vs. reality: why goals will not be met
Experts note that this year, 4–5 times more work is planned compared to any other year of the war. Alexander Kharchenko emphasized: "For the first time, we are preparing as we should have always prepared." However, despite ambitious plans, most goals will not be achieved in the current off-season. It is impossible to fit work that should take 3–5 years according to regulations into a single season.
The situation is exacerbated by systemic problems: funding shortages, excessive regulation of processes, and an acute lack of engineering personnel. Nevertheless, experts are confident that by winter 2026, Ukraine will be better prepared than last winter, thanks to accumulated experience and the implementation of new technologies.
Decentralization: betting on mini-CHPs and cogeneration
The key direction of preparation is the creation of decentralized energy systems. Mini-CHPs are being actively built in the regions, and cogeneration units are being purchased. In Kyiv alone, 200 MW of such capacity is planned to be installed by the end of the year. According to Kharchenko, up to 800 MW of cogeneration capacity is currently under construction, while about 1800 MW are already operational. This includes old gas CHPs, which collectively create a tangible factor of energy system resilience.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko previously reported that the capital has restored energy blocks totaling 350 MW and created 1 gigawatt of additional thermal generation. Overall, under the resilience plan, Kyiv must complete work worth 22 billion hryvnias, which is an unprecedented volume of investment in the city's infrastructure.
The main challenge: water supply and heat
The main task for the winter period remains ensuring uninterrupted water supply and heating. The most intensive work is currently underway on this issue. In Kyiv, cogeneration units totaling 60 MW have already been built, and another 100 MW are under construction. The capital has allocated 800 million hryvnias for repairing electrical equipment in residential buildings. Despite bureaucratic difficulties, when 1.25 billion hryvnias were "floating" through accounts, city authorities managed to return the funds and direct them to winter preparation needs.
