WASHPaLS #2 Ukraine Vodokanal Power Needs Assessment Report

USAID commissioned the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Partnerships and Learning for Sustainability (WASHPaLS) #2 Activity to conduct a rapid assessment of power needs of water and sanitation service providers (vodokanals) in Ukraine. The assessment sought to fill the existing knowledge gap regarding impacts of power outages on vodokanals and corresponding needs for backup power generation. This cross-sectoral assessment will support USAID/Ukraine’s rapid response to identify vodokanals’ energy needs for continuity of operations in a shifting conflict environment. 

The assessment addressed two objectives:

• Objective 1: Provide specific and actionable data and findings to rapidly respond to energy demand and backup power needs (including fuel and related equipment) of select vodokanals in the short term, in the municipalities of Kyiv, Kharkiv, Kherson, Lviv, and Odesa. Within this objective, identify opportunities to optimize energy efficiency and resilience in the short term.
• Objective 2: Provide an overview of linkages and gaps between water and sanitation services and the energy sector—including aggregate demand, energy efficiency issues, and vulnerabilities/risks.

The assessment found vodokanals that have replaced older high-voltage equipment with low-voltage equipment have been able to meet their immediate backup power needs through donors and other humanitarian actors, though some backup power needs persist for vodokanals using more high-voltage equipment. Backup power needs for high-voltage equipment can be addressed in multiple ways, including custom high-voltage generators or low-voltage generators with step-up transformers, for example. Options to improve energy and operational efficiency in the short-term include replacing outdated electrical substations, equipment, and pumps, among other needs specific to each vodokanal. 

This report is also available in Ukrainian.