Delegation from Odesa seeks partners for energy and reconstruction in Zwolle

A delegation from the Ukrainian port city of Odessa paid a working visit to Zwolle last week. The purpose of the trip was to establish contacts with Dutch companies that can help rebuild the city, which has been severely affected by the war.

 

Great need for stable energy

Odessa is experiencing frequent power outages due to ongoing attacks on its energy supply. According to Deputy Mayor Alla Bekh, small-scale, decentralized systems that provide both electricity and heat are essential. She argues that reconstruction doesn't begin after the war, but now.

 

Biomass as a promising solution

During the meeting at the Overijssel Provincial House, KARA Energy Systems from Almelo presented a potential solution. Willy Bijen demonstrated how biomass can be converted into heat. Thanks to its extensive agricultural sector, Ukraine has many local residual streams, such as straw and wood chips, that are suitable for this purpose.

The company already has experience in Ukraine and can supply rapidly deployable, mobile (plug and play) energy systems .

 

Collaboration as key

The visit to Zwolle underscored the importance of cooperation between Ukrainian cities and Dutch companies. Reliable energy supplies are essential for keeping Odessa running and laying the foundation for future reconstruction.