A solar power plant (SPP) has started operating in Rohatyn, Ivano-Frankivsk region. It will support the smooth operation of the local water treatment plant.
This was reported by the NGO Ecoclub, which accompanied the installation.
The capacity of the new SPP is 36.2 kW, and its battery capacity is 40.8 kWh. The Rohatyn community received funding as part of the Renewable Energy for Sustainable Ukraine project, which is being implemented by GIZ on behalf of the German government.
The cost of installing the solar power plant amounted to UAH 2.3 million.
The Ecoclub said that last year the city water utility in Rohatyn operated under difficult conditions. During long power outages, biological wastewater treatment was suspended because it requires aeration. After the electricity supply was restored, this type of treatment was difficult to start up again. But now, during outages, the new SPP will generate electricity for the aeration equipment for an hour.
Photo: ecoclubrivne.org.
Ihor Zalypko, chief engineer of Rohatyn-Vodokanal State Enterprise, says that the blackouts made them think about switching to renewable energy sources. He said that the enterprise had already achieved energy savings of 30% thanks to the updating of equipment and energy-saving measures, but this was not enough.
"The solar power plant is the next important step towards the energy security of our water supply," says the chief engineer.
According to preliminary calculations, the SES will produce more than 38,000 kWh of electricity per year. Thanks to this, the water utility will be able to save almost UAH 250,000 annually on electricity bills.
"War and shelling constantly threaten critical infrastructure, in particular, water supply. The installation of SPP is an important contribution to energy independence and increasing the reliability of water supply facilities," says Andriy Ryzhan, director of Rohatyn-Vodokanal SE.
Ihor Zalypka also added that in the future, the Rohatyn water utility plans to scale up the project and install additional solar panels at the water intake. According to him, this will reduce the water supply tariff and improve the quality of services for the population.
Earlier, EcoPolitics reported that a second solar power plant was installed in Zhytomyr City Hospital #2, which will complement the first one installed in 2023.
