The Kernel agricultural company, together with international partners, is deploying a network of decentralized solar power plants in frontline regions: the first seven solar power plants (SPPs), with a total capacity of 345 kW, have already been installed in communities in Sumy, Chernihiv, and Poltava regions.
"Overall, the ‘Solar Energy for Communities’ project aims to raise up to EUR 2.5 million for the creation of decentralized solar generation in 17 regions of the country," Kernel said on Thursday.
The community project encompasses two areas: community training and energy project preparation, as well as the installation of solar power plants at social infrastructure facilities, the company clarified.
The constructed solar power plants provide backup power to critical infrastructure facilities: four schools, a kindergarten, a hospital, and a water pumping station.
According to the information, the project is being implemented by the Together with Kernel Charitable Foundation and is a partnership platform: Kernel is the driving force behind the initiative, investing its own funds and attracting additional funding from international and Ukrainian partners. This model allows for the accumulation of resources, rapid scaling of the project, and geographic expansion, according to the press release.
The project focuses on frontline regions that suffer the most from attacks on the power grid. The installation of the solar power plant will partially meet the communities’ needs for backup power for social facilities and reduce dependence on the centralized power supply, the message reads.
"When schools, hospitals, kindergartens, and other social institutions operate, the community thrives, even in the most difficult times. That’s why, together with our partners, we’re investing in solutions that help these facilities operate reliably and communities become more energy independent. This isn’t just about preparing for winter; it’s about contributing to the long-term sustainability of Ukraine’s regions," Lilia Marachkanets, director of the Together with Kernel Charitable Foundation, explained the project’s interest.
