Analyzing the Tendencies in the Development of Centralized Heat Supply in Ukraine

The article is aimed at defining the main tendencies in the development of centralized heat supply in Ukraine. Objective prerequisites for the use of centralized heating sources, as well as levels of development of heat supply systems of settlements are identified. It is determined that the development of heat supply systems largely depends on climatic conditions and the climatic characteristics of certain cities of Ukraine are considered. The main stages of construction of district heating systems in localities of Ukraine are formed. Types of heat supply of cities of Ukraine are identified. The genesis of development of heat generation and heat supply processes in Ukraine is researched. The peculiarities of formation of the national legislative framework for regulation of issues on production and consumption of heat energy are analyzed. The provisions of the Concept for the implementation of the State policy in the sphere of heat supply are analyzed. Based on the carried out analysis, it is determined the following: firstly, the imbalance of financial capabilities and needs for financing investment projects of heat supplying enterprises, as well as a shortage of investment resources, which requires careful substantiation of investment programs, directions and order of modernization and reconstruction of available capacities; secondly, shifting the focus to the powers of local authorities (through decentralization of public administration), which received broad powers to license and set tariffs for heat energy, but at the same time received a wider range of obligations to maintain heat supply systems in working condition; thirdly, the lack of medium- and long-term planning for the development of heat supply systems in localities, which largely explains the current state of the heat supply sector. It is substantiated that such features of the current state of heat supply in Ukraine require the development of new approaches to planning and implementation of works on organizational-technological modernization of heat supply in conditions of limited financial resources