Ukrainian Experts Discuss Updates to Local Energy Planning Methodology

The EU-funded Covenant of Mayors – East project, in cooperation with the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine, organised an expert discussion on updates to the Local Energy Planning (LEP) Methodology. The event focused on aligning the methodology with national and local strategic documents to improve the development process of local energy plans.

Participants examined key aspects of the methodology, including the alignment of LEP objectives with national energy targets, the integration of climate goals, the establishment of baseline energy consumption, investment planning, and monitoring. The discussion addressed ways to streamline the methodology to meet national requirements while considering the specific needs of local communities.

Representatives from the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine, the State Agency on Energy Efficiency and Energy Saving of Ukraine, GIZ Ukraine, the Association of Energy Efficient Cities of Ukraine, the Institute of Economics and Forecasting of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, as well as independent climate and energy experts, took part in the discussion. Representatives of Covenant of Mayors signatory cities, including Zaporizhzhia, Myrhorod, Irpin, Kamianske, and Sambir, also participated.

Legislative Updates and Strategic Harmonisation

Experts discussed the recent legislative changes that came into force in June 2024, which impact the development of local energy plans. These changes specify the conditions under which communities can receive state support for energy efficiency measures and define the responsibilities of government and local authorities.

“The legislative changes clarify the terms and conditions under which communities can obtain state support for energy efficiency initiatives. They also define clear responsibilities for government and local authorities, which is an important step in ensuring the effective implementation of local energy strategies,” said Liubava Radiichuk, Senior Project Manager of the Recovery and Reform Support Team at the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development.

She also highlighted the importance of aligning local energy planning with national strategies: “Harmonising the objectives of local energy planning with national strategies is a key factor in achieving the country’s common energy goals. This approach creates the conditions for sustainable development and energy independence at all levels—from national to local.”

Challenges and Proposed Solutions

Participants raised questions regarding the establishment of minimum or recommended energy targets for communities, their alignment with national goals, and the inclusion of climate objectives in the LEP methodology. They also discussed the development of multiple planning scenarios to account for local challenges and the varying ambitions of Covenant of Mayors signatories.

Maksym Vereshchak, Deputy Head of the Covenant of Mayors – East project, emphasised the need for a flexible and evolving approach to local energy planning. “The LEP methodology is a living document actively used by communities in their planning processes. As they develop their plans, challenges arise that require adjustments and updates to the methodology. The main objective of these changes is to simplify the process of developing municipal energy plans, making it more user-friendly, accessible, and clear for local authorities. This will significantly enhance the efficiency of energy planning at the community level.”

Experts proposed drafting additional methodological recommendations to support energy consumption forecasting and the establishment of baseline energy levels at the community level. They noted that the current methodology lacks a comprehensive list of indicators and emphasised the need for a digital platform to facilitate the monitoring and implementation of local energy plans. Participants agreed to review developments by the State Agency on Energy Efficiency regarding the national energy monitoring system.

Following the discussion, the organisers will submit a formal request to the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine outlining the proposed amendments to the LEP Methodology. The recommendations aim to simplify the development of local energy plans and enhance their implementation across Ukrainian communities.