FINANCIAL MECHANISMS AND DECISION-MAKING TO SUPPORT ENERGY DECENTRALIZATION IN UKRAINE

Abstract

The full-scale war in Ukraine has exposed critical vulnerabilities in centralized energy grids, driving the urgent need for decentralized renewable energy solutions. This study investigates the economic efficiency of state financial and investment support for the advancement of distributed green energy systems in Ukraine, particularly through concessional financing initiatives such as the "5-7-9" program. The decision-making analysis focuses on small and medium-sized enterprises investing in 10-, 20-, and 30-kW hybrid wind-solar photovoltaic systems accompanied by storage facilities. Financial viability was assessed using key indicators, including Levelized Cost of Energy, Net Present Value, Internal Rate of Return, Profitability Index, and Discounted Payback Period. Results indicate that with preferential financing, the considered projects achieved strong economic performance, while traditional commercial loans offered by commercial banks rendered small-scale decentralized renewable energy solutions financially unfeasible. Based on this, it has been demonstrated that strategic public-private collaboration and effective financial policy frameworks are critical for scaling renewable energy adoption and accelerating Ukraine’s green and digital transition. The article presents developed strategies and a roadmap for integrating decentralized power systems into Ukraine’s digital economy, which, during and after the war, will help strengthen energy resilience, reduce operational risks, and foster the country’s sustainable growth. However, limitations include assumptions of stable macroeconomic conditions and a focus solely on internal energy consumption. Future research should investigate tailored financial mechanisms for different business types and explore the broader socio-economic impacts of investments in decentralized green power systems, as well as the sensitivity of projects’ economic indicators for optimal decision-making.