Verkhovna Rada is investigating the validity of current tariffs – Kucherenko
10 December 09:30
EXCLUSIVE
The media is once again talking about a possible increase in tariffs, particularly for electricity. Thus, today, on December 10, the National Energy and Utilities Regulatory Commission plans to consider a 28% increase in the electricity transmission tariff for Ukrenergo in 2025. One of the justifications for such a step is Ukrenergo’s expenses to fulfill its special obligations to pay the feed-in tariff.
In other words, Ukrenergo’s electricity transmission costs have not even increased, and consumers are being asked to pay for the company’s obligations to other companies.
At the same time, even the current electricity tariffs raise doubts about their validity, said Oleksiy Kucherenko, MP and member of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Energy. He reminds that the parliament has not yet studied the issue of the latest price increase.
“I can already see that lobbying groups are trying to find arguments for the increase. But I want to note that the temporary investigative commission I head will thoroughly investigate the current price. We will find out how reasonable or unreasonable this increase is and whether the laws are being followed in pricing,”
– the politician said in an exclusive commentary to .
According to him, the commission plans to present the results of its analysis to the parliament and the public:
“We will have a full analysis of the materials and present our position before making a decision on a possible increase or lack thereof.”
Kucherenko emphasized that there are no strong arguments in favor of revising the tariffs:
“Of course, someone will lobby for this increase, but I don’t see any justification for it yet.”
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What is the real cost of gas?
As for gas, the real cost of gas remains an open question, the MP says, recalling the 2016 lawsuit initiated by Yulia Tymoshenko against Naftogaz, which proved that the then tariffs were unreasonable.
“We spent three years in court to cancel the resolution of the Groysman government on setting the market price. In the first and second instances, we proved that these prices were economically unjustified. But the political process changed, and the case returned to the first instance, after which it lost its relevance,”
– he explained.
According to the politician, the current gas price for households more than covers Naftogaz’s production costs and ensures the company’s profitability.
“To put it mildly, even the price charged to the population today fully covers all the expenses of Naftogaz and provides it with the necessary profitability for stable operation. And what is the real cost – we will investigate this within the framework of our PIC in the near future,”
– Kucherenko said.
The politician urged the heads of energy monopolies not to speculate on the topic of tariffs:
“I strongly advise against raising the issue of energy prices for the population. It is absolutely inappropriate.”
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The situation in the Ukrainian energy sector
on March 22, 2024, Russia resumed its attacks on the Ukrainian energy sector, carrying out one of the most massive shelling attacks in the entire period of the full-scale war. In particular, DniproHES and other Ukrainian energy facilities were hit. Since then, Russia has been regularly shelling Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
For example, the Russians destroyed the Trypillia and Zmiiv thermal power plants, causing Centrenergo to lose 100% of its generation. Also, 5 of DTEK’s 6 thermal power plants were severely damaged.
After that, power outages began again in Ukraine, Ukrenergo introduced blackout schedules, and the government raised electricity tariffs by 60% at once.
At the same time, the Cabinet of Ministers decided to build two new units at the Khmelnytsky N PP and has already received approval from the relevant parliamentary committee. The Razumkov Center has criticized these plans, but some experts believe that only traitors or scoundrels are against the construction of nuclear power plants today.
Russia launched another massive attack on the Ukrainian energy sector on August 26. This time, they hit distribution and power generation systems, and the Kyiv hydroelectric power plant was also attacked.
Russia carried out the most massive shelling of Ukraine on November 17, 2024, firing 127 cruise, ballistic, and supersonic missiles and 109 attack drones. DTEK reported serious damage to its thermal power plants. The situation in Odesa and Odesa region was the most difficult: on the night of July 18, the city was partially without electricity and water. Ukraine reintroduces power outage schedules on July 18
Some experts believe that the blackouts may last until spring. And the Center for Countering Disinformation of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine recently voiced the worst-case scenario, which envisages blackouts of up to 20 hours a day.
