Active Consumer System: Experience Exchange

The Association of Coal Communities of Ukraine initiated a meeting of representatives from coal communities to discuss a highly relevant issue—the implementation of the Active Electricity Consumer system.  

The Active Electricity Consumer is a legal entity that not only consumes electricity for its own needs but can also generate it independently. Such consumers include enterprises or institutions that use solar panels, wind turbines, or cogeneration plants. This approach allows them not only to meet their own energy needs but also to sell surplus electricity.  

Last year, the Lytovezh community of Volyn region successfully launched a solar power station, installing solar panels on the roof of the Diia Center (Administrative Services Center) and the Lytovezh Ambulatory Clinic. The head of the Lytovezh community, Olena Kasianchuk, shared valuable insights into the community’s journey toward becoming an “Active Consumer."  

Representatives of coal communities learned about all the stages and key aspects of obtaining this status—from preparing project and cost-estimate documentation and obtaining permits to installing and operating the equipment, as well as handling electricity billing.

Olena Kasianchuk also emphasized the numerous benefits of being an "Active Consumer", such as stability and independence, cost savings, and additional income.

"We use only a portion of the energy we generate and feed the surplus into the grid. Importantly, the ability to generate our own electricity not only allows us to cover our own needs and sell the excess but also ensures stable operations in case of power outages. During prolonged blackouts, the village council, executive committee, ASC, ambulatory, and other institutions were able to operate throughout the entire working day," stated Olena Kasianchuk.  

We are confident that this experience exchange was valuable for all participants and, most importantly, will help local government representatives implement similar solutions in their communities in the near future.