Heat and light despite the war: how we are preparing Ukrainian cities for winter

In Dnipropetrovsk Oblast one town , located close to the front line, has become a refuge for 8,000 people who fled homes destroyed elsewhere. Now, 30,000 people depend on a single municipal utility company that provides heating and water.

"The situation is getting worse. It is very loud here, and there have been many more strikes near the town recently. But thanks to the support of our partners we are holding on and continuing to operate," —Tetiana, the utility company's chief accountant.

Last winter proved extremely challenging. Frequent power cuts disrupted the operation of critical infrastructure facilities and services in the town. With support from the US Department of State, we provided modern equipment that will significantly improve the reliability of the heating system.

"The pumps are now properly protected and can ensure the stable operation of the heating system even during emergency power outages," explains Volodymyr Kovyrshyn, WASH Engineer at People in Need.

Residents of Kyiv also endured one of the hardest winters of the war. Following a massive Russian attack, thousands of homes in the capital were left without heating—and in some cases electricity and/or water—during temperatures as low as -17°C.

District heating networks suffered repeated attack and subsequent damage. Kyivteploenergo, the city's main utility provider, operated under heightened risks, including infrastructure damage, emergency power outages, and the threat of further attacks. Under such conditions, having materials and equipment for rapid repairs is critical.

To help restore damaged heating networks, with support from the US Department of State, we supplied the utility company with essential materials and equipment, including pipes, pumps, flanges, and valves. As a result, Kyiv is better prepared for the winter: utility workers can respond to emergencies more quickly and ensure uninterrupted heat supply even during wartime.

Our engineers select the most suitable solutions for each location. In Konotop, Sumy Oblast, for example, we installed a wind turbine for a local hospital , which serves nearly 200,000 residents. During winter, the facility relied on generators to keep operating. However, not all medical equipment can safely run on generator power.

"We try not to use expensive, high-capacity equipment, such as the CT scanner. Any interruption in generator operation could damage the equipment, and repairs are costly," says Vasyl Zhonnyk, the hospital's Director General.

With support from the European Commission, we installed solar panels and battery storage systems for the hospital’s surgical department. Reliable electricity is vital here: medical staff perform surgeries and operate a dialysis unit. The equipment must function without interruption. Unlike solar panels alone, however, the wind turbine will generate electricity throughout the year.

"This is a hybrid solar and wind power station with a capacity of 30 kilowatts: 20 kilowatts from solar energy and 10 kilowatts from wind power. Konotop is regularly targeted by missile and drone attacks, so power outages are frequent. This equipment will ensure the stable operation of the surgical department," notes Volodymyr Kushko, WASH Engineer at People in Need.

This is not the first time we have supported the people of Konotop. Beyond helping them improve the quality of municipal services for residents we support local children by creating safe spaces for learning and development. 

"They have helped us tremendously. This includes shelters, alternative power supplies, and boiler houses. Thanks to organisations like People in Need, we are able to meet our needs. Electricity for our boiler houses, heat generation, and the operation of our hospitals all make it possible for people to continue living here," says Mayor Artem Semenikhin.

The new equipment will be tested and commissioned before the winter begins to ensure that the city will be able to get through another wartime winter.