The renovated “Pinocchio” kindergarten in Borodyanka is now energy-independent. Thanks to the charitable initiative #renewables4ukraine, a 10.5 kW solar system has been installed on the roof of the kindergarten’s building. The financial support was provided by the Finnish non-profit organization “EKOenergy ecolabel”.
Galyna Shmidt, Vice President of the World Wind Energy Association, and board member of UWEA, stated: “Since March 2022, over a quarter of a million euros had been raised through the “renewables4ukraine” initiative. Our initiative is primarily aimed at supporting communities that have been severely affected by the aggressor’s actions. We do not stop there, but continue to plan similar projects”.
Significant assistance to the project was also provided by the charitable organization “Vidvazhnykh” and the Ukrainian Wind Energy Association.
Andriy Konechenkov, Chairman of the UWEA Board, said: “This is a “smart” system. It can be managed remotely via the Internet, which is what the “Zelena Systema” company, that installed it does. The company is based in Zaporizhzhia, but this does not prevent it from monitoring the system’s operation and troubleshooting any issues that arise. It is very convenient for the kindergarten staff as they don’t have to worry about whether the system is working at any given moment. It works whenever there is sunlight.”
Volodymyr Karplyuk, Director of the “Vidvazhnykh” Charity, CEO of the “Vidvazhnykh” Society, and the Chair of the Irpin Reconstruction Fund, addressed: “Two years ago, it was clear that there would be huge problems with electricity supply. And now we are witnessing these predictions to be true, every year it gets harder and harder… The World Wind Energy Association helps us to ensure that our region’s infrastructure facilities become energy-independent. It is very crucial for us.”
The “Pinocchio” kindergarten was heavily damaged during the period of Borodynka occupied by the russian federation. The building was restored with the help of donors. Currently, the yard is being arranged thanks to funding from Lithuania. Starting September 1st, the children will return to their renovated and now energy-independent kindergarten. Children’s laughter can already be heard here.
Iryna Zakharchenko, Acting Head of Borodyanka Village Council, said: “For the first time in two years, I heard the laughter and buzz of children from the playground through the window. I felt a pang in my heart. This proves that Ukraine will win soon, everyone will return home, and Borodyanka will be as happy as it was before the war.”
Since the first days of the full-scale invasion, the World Wind Energy Association has been helping Ukraine. Thanks to its donations, six institutions in the Irpin community have already become energy-independent. Among them are the Irpin Lyceum of Innovative Technologies, the “Dzhereltse” kindergarten, and local outpatient clinics.
Stefan Gsänger, WWEA Secretary General: “We are pleased that we can assist the children in Ukraine in these difficult times once again. Renewable energies are energies of hope and energies for peace, this is what this kindergarten is telling now the world.”
Report on Ukrainian TV:
