A solar power plant has been installed at the “Znayko” kindergarten in Irpin, which will ensure the uninterrupted operation of the institution during power outages. The project was implemented within the framework of the international campaign #Renewables4Ukraine.
The project was initiated by the World Wind Energy Association (WWEA) and the Ukrainian Wind Energy Association (UWEA) with the support of the “Brave Society”.
“Znayko” has become the 8th municipal institution of the Irpin community to be equipped with a solar power plant. This kindergarten became the final facility within the project implemented with the financial support of the German wind farm “Druiberg”. It was thanks to the funds raised in Germany that solar energy systems were installed in the municipal institutions of the Irpin community.
A 23 kW solar system, a 15 kW inverter, a 20 kWh battery manufactured by the Ukrainian company Green System, solar panels, as well as lightning protection and grounding systems were installed at the facility.
Chairman of the Board of the Ukrainian Wind Energy Association Andriy Konechenkov emphasized the particular importance of developing decentralized energy in wartime:
“We are expecting a very difficult winter. In general, only about 20% of the energy system that we had at the beginning of the war remains. Therefore, today every solar system, every system using local energy sources, simply has to save Ukraine. We continue trying to attract funds in order to implement more and more new solar projects specifically for kindergartens.”
Deputy Mayor of Irpin Yuliia Osinska highlighted the importance of such projects for the community’s education sector:
“This is very important for us because we all know the times we are living in. Our educational institutions simply have to be energy independent. And speaking about ‘Znayko,’ we are sincerely delighted that our partners and our donors have given us such a gift. We hope that our cooperation will certainly not end here. We have already submitted applications for other kindergartens, and now the donors are considering financing solar systems for two more kindergartens.”
Secretary General of the World Wind Energy Association Stefan Gsänger emphasized not only the energy-related but also the educational significance of such a project:
“With this autonomous solar system, we want children to feel the benefits of renewable energy from an early age – and for them, their parents, and teachers to know that supporters from around the world stand with them. It’s heartbreaking to think some of these children weren’t even born when this war began.”
According to Olena Radko, Acting Director of the “Znayko” kindergarten, the new system has already proven its effectiveness during critical moments:
“There are scheduled power outages or emergency outages, and the panels simply helped us out at the moment when the electricity went off. We did not even notice any difference whether there was electricity or not. The kindergarten continues operating without interruption.”
The Ukrainian Wind Energy Association expresses its sincere gratitude to its international partners and donors for their consistent support for the development of sustainable energy in Ukraine and for strengthening the energy independence of communities during wartime. It is precisely thanks to such cooperation that projects ensuring the uninterrupted operation of socially important institutions can be implemented, creating safe and comfortable conditions for children and staff, while also increasing the resilience of Ukrainian communities to the challenges caused by russian aggression.
ITV News Agency report: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQK6HuoSYgU
