Autonomy Instead of Waiting: How Ukraine Is Restructuring Its Energy Supply During the War
4 February 14:48
More than 9,000 individual entrepreneurs have already applied for one-time government assistance to ensure uninterrupted operations during emergency power outages. In addition, banks have received more than 270 applications for preferential loans to purchase generators.
This was reported by Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, according to "Komersant Ukrainian".
Who is eligible for state assistance and what kind of assistance is available
According to Svyrydenko, this refers to an energy support program for sole proprietors in Groups 2–3 who operate in socially important sectors.
Entrepreneurs can receive:
- a one-time payment of up to 15,000 UAH;
- funds intended to ensure autonomous operation during power outages;
- applications can be submitted via the “Diya” app.
Loans for generators: how the mechanism works
A loan program is also available under the “Affordable Loans 5–7–9” initiative . According to government data:
- over 270 applications have already been submitted;
- loans are provided at 0% annual interest;
- applications have been received by 14 banks;
- a total of 43 banks across the country will participate in the program.
The government expects this to enable businesses to transition to autonomous power sources more quickly without a significant financial burden.
“SvitloDom”: a separate program for apartment buildings
Separately, the government has launched the “SvitloDom” program, aimed at supporting homeowners’ associations and apartment buildings.
Under this program, the state provides:
- from 100,000 to 300,000 UAH;
- for the purchase of generators and other power equipment;
- to ensure the operation of key life-support systems —heating, water supply, and elevators.
Svyrydenko emphasizes that “SvitloDom” can be combined with other energy modernization programs, specifically:
- 5–7–9 loans;
- the installation of solar panels;
- batteries and hybrid inverters for energy storage.
Why is this happening right now?
The launch and scaling of these programs are taking place against the backdrop of a deteriorating situation in the energy sector.
As of the morning of February 4, due to hostilities and shelling of energy infrastructure:
- consumers in the Donetsk, Sumy, Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson, Chernihiv, and Zaporizhzhia regions are without power;
- in Kyiv, more than 1,100 apartment buildings in several districts are without heating.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced this following a conference call regarding the energy emergency.
The government has already allocated 800 million hryvnias for the first phase of funding for the “SvitloDom” program. Applications for “SvitloDom” are now being accepted via the “Diya” app.
