Norway Fuels Ukraine’s Green Rebuild with NOK 180 Million Investment in Energy-Efficiency Projects

Norway Fuels Ukraine’s Green Rebuild with NOK 180 Million Investment in Energy-Efficiency Projects

(IN BRIEF) Norway has allocated NOK 180 million (around EUR 16 million) through Nefco to drive Ukraine’s green recovery and reconstruction efforts by funding energy-efficiency projects that renovate schools, hospitals, and wastewater facilities, as well as by installing solar energy solutions. This investment, part of the expansive Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine with a NOK 205 billion budget for 2023–2030, aims to reduce energy consumption, boost resilience, and support vulnerable groups, including internally displaced persons, with anticipated significant savings in heating and electricity costs. Local projects in Koziatyn, Krasyliv, and Ovruch underscore the initiative’s impact on modernizing essential infrastructure while extending the lifespan of public facilities.

(PRESS RELEASE) HELSINKI, 12-Mar-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — In a bid to accelerate Ukraine’s reconstruction and green recovery, Norway has committed NOK 180 million (approximately EUR 16 million) through Nefco to support a range of energy-efficiency initiatives. This funding will be directed primarily towards projects that refurbish schools and hospitals, modernize wastewater systems, and install solar energy solutions. A portion of the funds has already been allocated to provide technical assistance for constructing emergency housing for internally displaced persons as well as for designing near-zero-energy school buildings.

This contribution forms an integral part of the broader Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine, a sweeping Norwegian initiative with a budget of NOK 205 billion for 2023–2030. The programme is designed to overhaul Ukraine’s infrastructure, reducing energy consumption and boosting resilience. Over the past 20 years, Nefco has built strong local partnerships with more than 100 municipalities, enabling it to conduct in-depth assessments and ensure that the investments deliver maximum impact.

Åsmund Aukrust, Norway’s Minister of International Development, noted that Norwegian support through partners such as Nefco is intended to help Ukraine safeguard its citizens, maintain vital infrastructure, and achieve greater energy independence. Echoing this sentiment, Ulf Bojö, Vice President for Green Transition Eastern Europe at Nefco, highlighted the organization’s dedication to using Norwegian funds efficiently to rebuild municipal infrastructure. He added that the upcoming projects in Koziatyn, Krasyliv, and Ovruch are expected to yield significant energy savings—projected to reduce heating costs by 52%–70% and electricity consumption by 45%–60%—while also extending the lifespan of the renovated facilities.

These initial energy-efficiency projects include comprehensive renovations of day-care centres, a lyceum, and healthcare buildings across Northern, Western, and Central Ukraine. The improvements will enhance the quality of educational and healthcare services for local communities, including internally displaced persons. Furthermore, this initiative is one of several measures under the Nansen Support Programme, administered by Norad, which collectively aim to support Ukraine’s transition to a more resilient and sustainable future.

About Norad

Norad is an administrative and specialist body for development cooperation that supports the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Climate and the Environment in achieving the goals of Norwegian development policy and promoting sustainable development. The UN’s sustainability goals, climate goals and human rights form the basis of Norad’s work. Norad is based in Oslo. Read more at www.norad.no/en/

More information about the Nansen programme is available at The Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine | Norad.no

Media Contacts:

Vitaly Artyushchenko
Chief Investment Adviser, Nefco
vitaly.artyushchenko@nefco.int
+358 50 9112427

Tetiana Vekha
Project Administrator
T.Vekha@nefco.org.ua
+380675198034

SOURCE: Nefco