Essay of the Winner of the Contest, Maryna Bodia.
From dawn to dusk, I look at our city, hoping that our energy system will survive despite current challenges, and I would like to share my thoughts about energy security and why it is the most important for our country.
Now, we understand the importance of a stable energy supply in a special way. Last winter, we often had power cuts in our city. And although it has become a habit for us, these power cuts caused inconvenience and stress. We were forced to use candles and look for heating sources to warm ourselves when the district heating was off. Such power cuts affected our everyday routine, and we understand it may keep affecting us in the future.
Energy security for our country is not just a word. It is a vital necessity. We live in a time when technology is becoming increasingly important for development. We need independent, distributed, and alternative energy sources to remain a sovereign country. We need a stable energy supply to our enterprises, schools, healthcare establishments, and households, as it concerns each aspect of our life – work, study, and leisure. Energy security is a vital component of national security and the foundation for economic development.
Our country has a vast potential to use renewable energy sources. We have a lot of facilities where solar panels can be installed and fields where wind turbines can be placed. Nowadays, this issue is becoming especially relevant because Russia is attacking the Ukrainian energy system and climate change. Moreover, just now, we can see how important it is to invest efforts in developing our energy system. We should assume responsibility for the future and choose how we use energy to help us strengthen our country and ensure our future. I believe that together, we will be able to rebuild a country where energy facilities will not be the enemy’s targets anymore and where each use of a breaker will bring the light for further achievements.