"Our work is now about resilience, adaptation, and rapid response.”

From long-term planning to crisis response: Ruslana Sidliar, Deputy Director, Head of the Department of Entrepreneurship, Trade and Energy Efficiency of the Department of Socio-Economic Development and Strategic Planning of the Chernivtsi City Council, shares how her work has transformed since the war. She highlights why renewable energy is key to the future of Chernivtsi and how international partnerships are helping build a more resilient city.

Could you give our readers an insight into your daily work before Russia’s full-scale invasion – and how it has changed since?

Before the full-scale war, my daily work was more structured and focused on long-term planning, with a strong emphasis on the systematic development of the local economy. I worked on fostering entrepreneurship within the community: organizing fairs and events to promote local producers, supporting the development of the consumer market, and implementing energy management tools at the municipal level.

After the war began, my work changed significantly. It became much more operational and crisis-oriented. Issues of community and business resilience came to the forefront. A significant part of my work is now dedicated to supporting relocated enterprises – helping them integrate into the new community and resume their activities. At the same time, the field of energy management has gained even greater importance. We have intensified our focus on energy efficiency, resource conservation, and strengthening the community’s energy resilience.

In essence, while the work previously focused on development and growth, it is now about development through resilience, adaptation, and rapid response to emerging challenges.

How important are projects promoting renewable energy for the economic development of Chernivtsi – both for businesses and for private households? 

Today, the development of renewable energy sources is not just an environmental trend but a foundation of economic resilience for communities. Their importance has grown significantly, especially in the context of war and energy risks. Local energy generation acts as a safeguard, ensuring the stable operation of infrastructure and businesses.

For enterprises, it primarily provides the ability to operate without interruptions even under challenging energy conditions. Own generation helps reduce costs, avoid downtime, and makes businesses more attractive to investors, including relocated companies.

For private households, it means real savings and independence. People gain more control over their energy expenses and become less dependent on external factors, which is especially important under current circumstances.

What specific initiatives or measures has your department recently implemented to improve energy efficiency and expand the use of renewable energy in the city?

Our team is systematically working towards achieving the community’s energy independence and improving its environmental sustainability. For Chernivtsi, these are not isolated initiatives but part of a consistent strategy based on clear energy planning.

The community has adopted a Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan, which sets an ambitious target of reducing CO₂ emissions by 30% by 2030. In addition, in 2025 we developed and approved the Municipal Energy Plan of the Chernivtsi community until 2030. This document serves as a roadmap, covering energy resource management, infrastructure modernization, the development of green technologies, and creating conditions for participation in international and national programs.

An important practical step is also our participation in the SUN4Ukraine project. It allows us to cooperate with leading European cities, exchange best practices in sustainable development, and adapt them to the needs of our community.

Another key area is cooperation with the expert community. Our department initiated a strategic partnership with the NGO “Ecoclub,” whose specialists support communities in implementing energy independence solutions. We already have tangible results. In particular, experts have developed a technical feasibility study for installing large-scale solar power plants at water utility facilities – with a total capacity exceeding 1.5 MW of local generation.

Additionally, another important project is nearing completion: the construction of a hybrid solar power plant on the roof of the Central City Clinical Hospital. This is a crucial step, as it will ensure the stable operation of critical infrastructure.

The “Energy Transition Town Twinnings“ project connects cities through sustainability and international cooperation. In a time of war and deep crisis, what does local partnership across borders mean to you and your city?

Cooperation with twin cities is a powerful instrument of Chernivtsi’s municipal-level external diplomacy. During the war, international intermunicipal partnerships have significantly intensified: formal agreements have transformed into real, practical actions. Such partnerships allow us not only to attract resources in difficult times but also to build long-term international relationships, exchange experience, and improve the quality of life for residents and internally displaced persons.

Beyond humanitarian aid, we are implementing joint initiatives in housing and communal services, education and science, culture, sports, healthcare, and economic cooperation. Through this interaction, we can systematically introduce modern solutions in the field of sustainable energy development. For example, within the “Energy Transition: Partner Cities” project, we have significantly deepened our partnership with Düsseldorf. This has enabled knowledge exchange in renewable energy and provided important technical support for the city’s municipal enterprises from our German partners.

What challenges and opportunities do you currently see for renewable energy projects in your city – at the political, financial, or social level?

For Chernivtsi, as for most Ukrainian communities, the development of renewable energy is currently shaped by the war, European integration, and the need for energy autonomy. There are certainly challenges. These include financial constraints, complex legislative processes, and, most importantly, high risks associated with the war. For investors, predictability is crucial, and this is still lacking.

At the social level, the situation is mixed. On the one hand, there is still some skepticism and limited awareness of the benefits of renewable energy. On the other hand, after experiencing power outages, there is a growing demand for energy autonomy. People and businesses are increasingly valuing independence and reliability in energy supply. 

At the same time, despite these challenges, we see strong international support – including grant programs and cooperation with financial institutions. In practice, this creates opportunities to implement projects even without significant initial investments from the community or businesses. Therefore, our key task now is not to miss this moment. We need to develop local generation, actively engage with partners and investors, and, importantly, build public trust in such projects.

Looking ahead: when you imagine the post-war reconstruction of Chernivtsi, what role will renewable energy and climate policy play in shaping a better and more resilient city?

I strongly believe that reconstruction should follow the principle of “building back better.” Renewable energy and climate policy must become not an addition, but the foundation of Chernivtsi’s development. We plan to integrate renewable energy solutions into reconstruction projects – from residential neighborhoods to industrial zones. This is an opportunity not just to restore what was lost, but to create a modern, resilient, and energy-independent community.

The combination of innovative energy solutions, international experience, and active community engagement will allow Chernivtsi to become a more resilient, comfortable, and competitive city.