Today, on 22 October, during a briefing, Andriy Godik, First Deputy Head of the Lviv Oblast State Administration, told how the Lviv Oblast is preparing for the start of the heating season in the face of military challenges caused by Russian aggression.
“The temperature indicators allowed us to enter the heating season in a planned manner. As a result, on 16 October, the head of the Lviv Regional State Administration, Maksym Kozytskyi, signed an order defining the main conditions under which the heating season starts at the local level, as well as the rules for response and information. As of 21 October 2024, 49 territorial communities (67% of the total) have decided to start the heating season. Most hromadas have started heating social infrastructure facilities: primarily pre-schools, healthcare and secondary education institutions,” said Andriy Godik.
Ratio of total number of institutions already connected to the heating system:
- 6% of residential buildings using district heating;
- 81% of healthcare facilities;
- 49% of preschool education institutions;
- 36% of educational institutions.
As for residential buildings with district heating, heating has already started in the Stryi community.
A key element in preparing for the heating season is to provide the region with backup power sources.
“One of the main challenges is a possible power outage and heat supply disruption, as we have seen in the previous two winters. Our task is to ensure the proper functioning of critical infrastructure facilities, including backup power sources.
As of today, Lviv region has 946 backup power sources, which allows us to cover 94% of the needs in case of emergencies:
- 100% – social institutions of regional subordination;
- 89% – heat supply companies;
- 84% – water and sewerage companies.
In addition, hospitals have a 5-day supply of fuel for generators. We have also provided backup water supply for cluster and supercluster hospitals so that they can function even in the absence of a centralised water supply,” said Andriy Godik.
Lviv region continues to work on the organisation and functioning of invincibility points, which become a shelter for citizens in case of emergencies.
“As of today, there are 864 invincibility points in the region, where you can charge your gadgets, keep warm and stay in the absence of heat supply or when the temperature drops. You can find the nearest one in the Diia app. Most of them are located on the basis of municipal institutions, including 89 points operated by the Main Directorate of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Lviv Oblast. This is not the final figure, we have a clear list of facilities that can be additionally used for the resilience centres in the future. Additionally, we can deploy about 700 more mobile units if necessary. We have also prepared more than 100 generators of various capacities, which will be promptly transferred to the facilities in case of emergencies,” said Andriy Godik.
In accordance with the Cabinet of Ministers’ resolution regulating the operation of the invincibility points, they will be transferred to the “functioning” status and opened by the decision of the regional commission on technogenic and environmental safety and emergencies. At the moment, there are 55 points that are ready to receive citizens. If the situation deteriorates, all other points will be opened.