Sweco brings green expertise to Ukraine’s rebuilding efforts
Published on: October 15, 2025
A delegation from Sweco will travel to Warsaw in mid-November to take part in the Rebuild Ukraine international exhibition and conference. The conference is a platform for recovery projects, materials, technologies, equipment and investments required to rebuild Ukraine’s war-torn economy with an emphasis on infrastructure, industry, energy and housing.
With a portfolio that encompasses more than 70 projects, Sweco has continuously performed engineering assignments in the energy, industry, water and wastewater sectors in Ukraine for more than 30 years. This work spans district heating, building energy efficiency, residential housing and wastewater treatment, among other areas.
Over the years, Sweco has developed a strong track record of successful partnerships with bilateral and multilateral donors and development banks in Ukraine, alongside a well-established network of local partners nationwide.
Continue reading to learn more about some of Sweco’s recent projects in the country.
The needs in Ukraine for reconstruction, recovery, resilience, and green transition are immense. We proudly support cities and municipalities in vital areas such as energy, water and waste management, construction, and urban recovery. With over 30 years of experience working on projects in Ukraine, our commitment to building sustainable and resilient institutions and cities remains unwavering, says Tina Karlberg, President of Sweco International.
Energy efficiency in Rivne
Sweco’s energy engagements in Ukraine include a key project in Rivne. In 2019, Sweco was selected to develop a Priority Investment Plan (PIP) for energy upgrades in public buildings (including renewable energy sources) and street lighting, with support from Nefco, the Eastern Europe Energy Efficiency and Environment Partnership, and the Norway-Ukraine Energy Efficiency Initiative.
The street lighting component has already been implemented, improving road and pedestrian safety, as well as significantly reducing municipal energy bills. Three day-care centres have been fully thermo-modernised. Currently, rooftop solar power plants are being installed at two healthcare facilities, strengthening energy resilience and lowering operating costs, and two further day-care centres are being fully thermo-modernised.
The project is now in its finalisation phase, underscoring Rivne’s commitment to modernising infrastructure and supporting both the local population and internally displaced people (IDPs) with more efficient energy solutions. Sweco continues to support the city’s project implementation unit.
Housing for internally displaced persons
As the war displaced millions across Ukraine, Sweco was selected to partner with Nefco and the EU in 2023 to oversee the construction of social housing for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in five cities in western Ukraine; and in Makariv situated in Kyiv Region, the reconstruction of two healthcare facilities and a school damaged in the early days of the full-scale invasion, as well as the construction of two day-care centres. By integrating energy-efficient measures and green technologies such as solar panels and heat pumps, the programme creates inclusive and sustainable places to live, work and learn. Aligned with European environmental standards, it underlines Sweco’s commitment to sustainable housing and strengthening long-term resilience in Ukrainian communities.
Securing water supply and treatment
In Kremenchuk, Sweco led an initiative financed by Swedfund, the Swedish state’s development finance institution, to improve water quality for the city’s 220,000 residents. Sweco’s team, consisting of urban water engineers, hydrologists and environmental experts, elaborated a plan for a sustainable water supply system with a 25-year forecast on resources. The aim of the project, which includes advanced purification, quality monitoring and process automation, is to fast-track the modernisation of Kremenchuk’s drinking water infrastructure, fostering a more resilient, energy-efficient water system.
Sweco has also been implementing municipal infrastructure projects in Mykolaiv and Odesa regions. These projects, also funded by Swedfund, address both drinking water and wastewater treatment. In Kobleve, efforts focus on enhancing water quality and wastewater processing. In Dobroslav, Sweco has been working on preparations required for the establishment of a new wastewater treatment system to meet rigorous environmental standards. In Chornomorsk, preparations for the renovation of the drinking water system and reconstruction of wastewater facilities. Meanwhile in Bila Tserkva in Kyiv region, Sweco will recommend improvements for wastewater collection and treatment. By incorporating energy-efficient and emissions-controlled solutions, these projects ensure improved municipal services, particularly benefiting internally displaced residents.
Towards sustainable waste management
Sweco has been commissioned to develop a sustainable and transparent tariff system as part of Ukraine’s municipal waste management reform. This work is under the Sida-funded WM4U – Waste Management for Ukraine programme, implemented by SALAR International and Avfall Sverige. The programme aims to support Ukraine’s transition to a circular and EU-compliant waste sector. Sweco will analyse the current system’s shortcomings, propose new tariff models, and create a simulation tool for fee calculation. The assignment includes testing the new system in pilot municipalities and developing training materials for the tool.
Sweco was selected to support the Swedish EPA through a framework agreement, in implementing the waste management component of the project “Institutional cooperation on EU accession in the environment and waste sector in Ukraine”. The cooperation between the Swedish EPA and the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture aims to strengthen Ukraine’s waste legislation, and enhance the capacity of authorities at national, regional, and local levels to implement efficient waste management systems.
During 2025, Sweco developed a practical guideline on regional waste management plan development and trained relevant stakeholders from all regions on the matter. Sweco has also carried out a comprehensive assessment of Ukraine’s waste management legislation, systems, and practices in relation to the requirements of the EU Waste Framework Directive and the Landfill Directive.
Partnering for long-term industrial development
Sweco Finland received government support from Finnpartnership to lead the sustainable reconstruction of industrial parks in Ukraine in alignment with the green transition. The project aims to accelerate Ukraine’s post-conflict economic recovery in line with EU green transition goals. Sweco partnered with the Economy of Trust Ukraine Inc. to identify promising industrial areas, with a vision to sustainably develop more than 100 parks over the next decade. This initiative leverages Sweco’s expertise in digital design, circular economy practices and resource efficiency.
Key phases include partner identification, feasibility studies and pilot project, with operations beginning in 2024.
Finnpartnership’s support fuels early stages, aiming for scalable development across multiple zones. Priorities include mitigating risks related to war and corruption and fostering sustainable job creation in line with social and environmental standards, emphasising resilience and economic sustainability for Ukraine’s industrial future.
