Public Priorities for the Post-War Reconstruction of Ukraine’s Energy Sector

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has resulted in the large-scale destruction of many cities across the country. Although the war has not yet ended, there will come a time when the conflict concludes, and reconstruction efforts will begin. Global experiences show that the first step in preparing for post-war reconstruction is to assess the level of destruction. Additionally, it is essential to understand people’s needs and priorities. Otherwise, reconstruction activities may fail to address the existing challenges and actual needs of local communities. This study aims to explore post-war reconstruction priorities of Ukrainians, with special focus on the energy sector and particularly the district heating facilities. During hostilities, a significant part of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure was damaged or destroyed, which will be an essential sector in the recovery of other sectors. Research work involved undertaking an online survey with questions focusing on Ukrainians’ assessment of the importance of the reconstruction of the energy sector. A total of 420 people from different regions of Ukraine, different age groups and professional backgrounds participated in the survey. Results show that a significant number of Ukrainian citizens have a high level of energy awareness. Thus, when asked what measure of post-war reconstruction of the energy sector they consider of high importance, 64% of respondents chose the answer “Reconstruction using energy-saving construction technologies and energy-efficient engineering systems, even if it takes more time”. Furthermore, 32% of respondents are ready to pay more for district heating services if alternative energy sources are used to generate heat.