Andrii Herus: Distributed generation and cogeneration — the basis for the stability of Ukraine's energy system
28 January 2026, 11:35
For almost two years, Ukraine has been implementing European integration Law No. 2955-IX, which established rules for the development of highly efficient cogeneration.
The law regulates and stimulates installations that simultaneously produce heat and electricity with high energy efficiency. Guarantees of origin have been introduced for electricity produced by high-efficiency cogeneration, confirming its efficiency and origin. One installation provides both heat and light: lower energy production costs and greater energy stability for communities.
Andrii Herus, Chairman of the Energy and Housing and Utilities Committee, notes the prospects for the development of cogeneration, which allows for the simultaneous production of electricity and heat. This approach is particularly effective for communities, hospitals, critical infrastructure facilities, and the housing and utilities sector.
«Cogeneration is not only about energy efficiency, but also about the energy security of communities. Such projects need to be scaled up across the country, creating a decentralised and more sustainable energy system,» said the Committee Chairman.
According to him, even relatively small local power plants, in particular cogeneration facilities, can provide additional hours of electricity for thousands of people.
The Committee Chair emphasises that there are already examples of effective implementation of the Law:
- in Chernihiv Oblast, small cogeneration plants provide stable heat and electricity for communities and critical infrastructure;
- in the Kyiv region (Irpin) — a municipal gas piston plant supplies most residents and social facilities;
- in the Khmelnytskyi region — businesses and medical facilities are installing solar stations and other distributed generation facilities with the possibility of selling surplus electricity to the grid;
- In Poltava region — a 1 MW cogeneration plant is already in operation, with another 4 MW in the final stages of commissioning.
«These are very important projects for the development of distributed generation. They are particularly relevant for the left bank of Ukraine, where the greatest shortage of generating capacity is currently observed. Although the figures seem small, such installations can provide electricity to almost 10,000 people for several hours,» emphasised Andrii Herus.
At the same time, in the context of military threats and constant attacks on energy infrastructure, Ukraine needs to develop not only large power plants, but also small local ones that operate directly next to consumers. As noted by Andrii Herus, Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Housing and Utilities Services, distributed generation is one of the key elements in improving the stability of the energy system, as it allows for the provision of electricity even in the event of accidents, network damage or massive attacks.