One of the residential care facilities in Mykolaiv Oblast has had a solar power plant (SPP) installed — among the first in Ukraine for institutions providing round-the-clock care. Facilities of this kind are frequently overlooked in community priority-setting, yet they must also be part of energy plans and development strategies. Reliable electricity supply here affects not only the living conditions of residents — their safety, health, and dignity — but the overall resilience of the community itself.
The plant was installed in late December 2025. In February alone, it generated 6,101 kWh of electricity, representing savings of UAH 79,250 at the applicable tariff of UAH 12.99/kWh. The official opening took place on 23 March, with representatives of the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs in attendance. The project was carried out jointly by the NGO Ecoclub and the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), with financial support from the Government of Denmark.
For this facility, a stable electricity supply is not a matter of comfort — it is a matter of basic living conditions. The residents require round-the-clock care, and electricity is essential for food preparation, water supply, sanitation, lighting, and the daily work of staff. The facility operates its own bakery, producing bread for residents, as well as a large laundry and bathing complex — all of which depend entirely on a reliable power supply. Preliminary estimates indicate that under favorable weather conditions, during the spring and summer months, the SPP will cover up to 52% of the facility’s energy needs.
The plant allows the facility to operate reliably during power outages, reduces dependence on generators, and enables operational planning independent of supply schedules. It also contributes to a significant reduction in electricity costs and CO₂ emissions.
“In the current environment, support for vulnerable populations must be a priority — as must all critical infrastructure. Projects like this should not remain isolated cases; they need to be systematically integrated into community energy development plans. Ecoclub’s work goes beyond installing solar power plants. We support communities in implementing structured energy planning: training municipalities and helping develop strategic documents, including municipal energy plans, SEAPs, and feasibility studies. This enables communities to respond to immediate challenges while planning their energy futures for years ahead,” said Olena Kondratіuk, Project Manager at Ecoclub.
“We are pleased that this psychoneurological residential facility now has energy autonomy. It can operate even under unstable external electricity supply and will achieve substantial monthly savings on electricity costs. This is one of 27 energy projects in state-owned institutions across Mykolaiv Oblast, funded by Denmark and implemented by our partners — DRC and Ecoclub. We are confident these solutions will continue to benefit the people of the region for many years to come,” said Jakob Hansen, Head of the Danish Embassy Office in Mykolaiv.
“Our collaboration with Ecoclub on this project reflects our commitment to supporting Ukrainian organisations that deliver solutions genuinely responsive to community needs. With DRC’s support and funding from the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this solar power plant helps ensure uninterrupted operation of the facility and improves the daily living conditions of residents who require continuous care,” said Alexa Grünwald, DRC Regional Manager for Administration and Programmes in Mykolaiv.
The solar power plant is part of a broader effort to strengthen the energy resilience of social care institutions across communities. Solutions of this kind address present-day challenges while laying the groundwork for long-term development.
Background:
- The facility is home to 201 permanent residents, a number of whom have been displaced from Donetsk and Kherson oblasts.
- The installed capacity of the solar panels is 108.29 kW; battery storage capacity is 204.8 kWh.
- The projected annual generation is 144,576 kWh. At an average electricity price of UAH 9/kWh, estimated annual savings amount to UAH 1,301,184.
- The total cost of design documentation and construction was UAH 5,539,700.80. The estimated payback period is 4.25 years.
The project is being implemented in partnership with the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), with financial support from the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Media contacts:
- Olena Kondratіuk, Project Manager, Ecoclub — kondratyuk@ecoclubrivne.org
- Iryna Obrazhei, Communication Manager, Ecoclub — i.obrazhei@ecoclubrivne.org