Guidance on Renewable Energy for WASH in Ukraine

by People in Need, NGO Ecoclub and UNICEF

The reliable delivery of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services in Ukraine faces significant challenges due to disruptions in the national energy system, rising electricity costs, and damage to infrastructure. More than 70% of surveyed WASH utilities stated that they struggle with a lack of backup energy generation. In addition to the energy shortage and lack of backup energy, WASH utilities already suffer from limited financial capacity, which makes fuel-based backup energy a barrier on the shoulders more than a solution.

These factors show that it is necessary to integrate renewable energy solutions into WASH humanitarian support, which helps affected communities to have stable access to the basic WASH services, especially during attacks and energy outages. The renewable energy systems for WASH act as low-operation cost and backup energy sources, being vital in emergency settings and laying down a sustainable foundation for recovery/development while reducing operational costs and GHG emissions.

This document serves as a practical guide and provides the required basic knowledge for humanitarian actors who are considering the integration of renewable energy solutions into humanitarian WASH responses to ensure stable access to basic WASH services. It is designed to provide both technical and practical insights — from understanding current technical processes, the energy demand of current systems, to evaluating renewable energy options, assessing implementation requirements, and ensuring proper financial planning.