24.09.2025
On September 25, Energy Club will hold the “Resilience and Transformation: Balancing Ukraine’s energy system in a new reality” forum in Kyiv. This will be a frank conversation among professionals who hold the energy front every day. They will share real experience to jointly find practical solutions for strengthening our energy system.
The speakers at the forum will be the heads and leading specialists of Ukrainian energy companies. Among them is Ksenia Kovalenko, Head of the Credit Department at Rayton. In her speech, she plans to demonstrate concrete examples of project payback—approximately 3.5 years—and explain why it is profitable for businesses right now. She will also focus on various financing options and show that such projects can be not just “insurance against a blackout” but a full-fledged business tool.
On the eve of the forum, in an interview with the Energy Club media department, Ksenia Kovalenko spoke about the benefits of energy autonomy for business, project payback periods, lending specifics, and the main barriers to implementing energy storage systems.
Energy Club: Ms. Kovalenko, what are the main motives driving businesses to invest in energy autonomy today?
Ksenia Kovalenko: Firstly, it’s savings. Businesses today spend significant amounts on electricity, and optimizing these costs is very noticeable. Secondly, it’s uninterrupted operations, as downtime due to blackouts can cost hundreds of thousands or even millions. And the third point is the opportunity to earn revenue.
Of course, there is also an environmental and even a patriotic motive—when a business supports the state’s energy independence and reduces CO₂ emissions. But honestly, businesses always look at the numbers. And here, they add up: savings, autonomy, and potential additional income.
Energy Club: What is the average payback period for a solar power station with an energy storage system for a medium-sized production facility or shopping center?
Ksenia Kovalenko: On average, it’s about 3.5 years. However, it all depends on whether the system operates with a solar station or separately, the consumption volume, and the financing terms. If the installation is used not just as a backup but as a business tool, then such a payback period is quite realistic.
Energy Club: What are the main difficulties and risks businesses face when obtaining loans for energy projects, and how does your company help overcome them?
Ksenia Kovalenko: The biggest problem is the company’s financial performance. If a business is unprofitable or loss-making, it is difficult to get a loan according to NBU requirements. The second difficulty is bureaucracy: different banks have different requirements. The third is the documentation and validation for the equipment.
We help make this process easier. We are an accredited company trusted by banks. The equipment serves as collateral, which already resolves some issues. We work directly with banks, assist with drafting contracts, arranging collateral, identifying equipment, and selecting cashback programs. Thanks to this, the business gets a turnkey solution instead of a headache.
Energy Club: What is the typical profile of your client?
Ksenia Kovalenko: It is a business that has high electricity costs and wants to reduce them. Also, those who want to be prepared for blackouts or disruptions in the energy system. Most often, these are medium-sized businesses, but requests come from various industries. The main thing is that consumption must be high enough for the solution to be profitable.
Energy Club: Are banks willing to finance such projects?
Ksenia Kovalenko: Yes, banks are actively providing loans today. There are solutions for any format: rooftop solar power stations, industrial stations, and solar stations with storage systems. There are even cases in frontline territories. Banks are willing to take equipment as collateral, and there are state programs (like “5-7-9%,” the decarbonization fund) and cashbacks from the EBRD. I would say that the “5-7-9%” program is currently the most favorable for small and medium-sized businesses. Large corporations are not eligible, but even commercial loans at market rates remain profitable; the payback period just increases by a few months.
Energy Club: In your opinion, what is the main restraining factor for the mass adoption of energy storage systems?
Ksenia Kovalenko: It’s not the price. Businesses are already spending money on electricity. The issue is different—not everyone fully understands how to calculate the benefits and payback, and how to integrate it into their business model. So, the main barrier is a lack of understanding. When we show clients specific calculations demonstrating the savings, autonomy, and earning potential, all doubts disappear.
