Covenant of Mayors Signatories Explore Energy Solutions in Rivne and Dubno, Ukraine

From 18 to 20 March 2025, representatives of the Covenant of Mayors signatories in Ukraine visited the cities of Rivne and Dubno, Rivne Oblast, to learn from successful local experiences in climate and energy action. The study visit focused on practical solutions for improving energy efficiency and increasing the use of renewable energy sources.

Rivne: A National Leader in Energy Efficiency

Rivne continues to lead Ukraine’s municipal energy transition. The city has developed a comprehensive energy and climate policy and actively applies flexible financial instruments to support its implementation. During the visit, representatives of the Rivne City Council shared their experience using revolving funds and credit financing to support energy efficiency in both public and residential sectors.

Participants also met with the NGO Ecoclub, which presented its internationally funded projects, including the installation of solar power plants on public buildings and water utilities.

The delegation visited several key facilities in Rivne:

• A primary healthcare centre equipped with a heat pump and an individual heating unit, which together provide hot water while significantly reducing energy costs;
• A pumping station at the regional water utility powered by a solar plant, with plans underway to build a megawatt-scale solar facility despite challenges caused by national tariff regulation;
• A city hospital where a 100 kW grid-connected solar power plant was installed in November 2024;
• A pre-school education facility that completed a thermal modernisation project with NEFCO support, using solar thermal collectors and heat pumps to provide hot water year-round;
• A local district heating provider operating a solid fuel boiler and high-efficiency cogeneration units, with the potential to supply up to 50% of the city’s electricity demand in the future.

Dubno: Small City, Big Steps in Sustainable Development

The city of Dubno demonstrated its commitment to sustainable development through several completed projects that highlight the potential of smaller communities to implement climate and energy solutions.

In Dubno, the group visited:

• The Psychosocial Support Centre, upgraded with modern insulation technologies and offering vital support services to military personnel and their families;
• A biomass boiler installed at a local lyceum;
• A solar power plant at the city hospital;
• Two education facilities – a preschool and a primary school – that introduced modern energy-saving solutions.

The visit to Rivne and Dubno underscored the importance of peer-to-peer learning, adaptation of successful practices, and the strategic use of financial mechanisms. These factors play a vital role in strengthening energy resilience and supporting communities on their path toward energy independence and climate neutrality.