The role of local self-government bodies in Ukraine in ensuring the energy resilience of communities under martial law through generation diversification

Abstract

The article comprehensively examines the organizational, legal, financial, and economic mechanisms of the activities of local self-government bodies (LSGBs) in the context of ensuring the energy security and increasing the autonomy level of territorial communities under martial law. It is determined that as a result of systemic and targeted damage to centralized energy infrastructure facilities, the decentralization and diversification of generation sources at the local level become critically important for the survival of municipalities. Based on the analysis of the current legislation of Ukraine, in particular the laws "On Energy Efficiency" and "On Recovery and Green Transformation of the Energy System", the powers, functions, and practical tools of LSGBs in the process of deploying distributed generation facilities are established in detail. Special attention is paid to the practical aspects of implementing gas-piston cogeneration units, constructing autonomous block-modular boiler houses operating on alternative fuels, as well as integrating systems using renewable energy sources (specifically solar power plants for water utilities and hospitals) combined with commercial battery energy storage systems (BESS). The dynamics of regulatory and legal framework governing legal relations in the field of energy management in communities during the war are analyzed, with an emphasis on institutional changes and the simplification of permitting procedures. The study identifies and classifies the key financial-budgetary, bureaucratic, and infrastructural barriers faced by LSGBs when attempting to ensure the autonomy of critical infrastructure facilities. Among these, the problem of withdrawing the "military" personal income tax (PIT), local budget deficits, lengthy procedures for obtaining technical specifications for grid connection from electricity distribution system operators (oblenergos), as well as a severe shortage of qualified personnel at the local level are highlighted. Applied pathways to overcome the outlined challenges are proposed through the active involvement of international technical assistance, cross-border cooperation, utilizing the DREAM platform to attract investments, as well as wider implementation of energy service (ESCO) contracts and the creation of municipal revolving funds. Practical recommendations are formulated regarding the mandatory integration of generation diversification tools into local Community Development Strategies and Municipal Energy Plans (MEPs) within the framework of implementing the concept of "green" recovery and modernization of local energy systems in the post-war period.