An Analysis of Personnel Policy in Ukraine's Energy Sector
During a live broadcast on his YouTube channel, expert Oleh Popenko delivered a critical analysis of personnel policy and tariff-setting mechanisms within Ukraine's energy sector. He denounced the selection processes at the National Commission for State Regulation of Energy and Utilities (NEURC) as fraudulent and proposed altering its legal status to bring it under direct government control.
Popenko highlighted the controversial exclusion of Ivan Vasyliovych Plachkov, a figure widely regarded as the 'father of Ukrainian energy,' from the NEURC. His failure to secure a seat, while other less-qualified candidates were selected, drew sharp criticism from the analyst.
'When Ivan Vasyliovych Plachkov – essentially the father of Ukrainian energy – is not accepted as a member of the NEURC, and God-knows-who gets in instead, I can honestly say I understand the outrage,' Oleh Popenko
The expert further questioned the very need for an independent regulatory body like the NEURC. 'Do we need such an independent body? It is entirely possible that we need to amend the law and make it dependent. Let the NEURC be subordinate to the Cabinet of Ministers... Let them be held accountable. This independent setup, where it's unclear who answers to whom, is a sham,' he emphasized.
Popenko advocates for legislative changes to formally subordinate the NEURC to the Cabinet of Ministers. He argues this would establish clear accountability for the body's decisions concerning energy and utility tariffs. This debate over governance comes at a critical time for Ukraine's energy security and economic stability.
Clarifying the Chain of Decision-Making
According to the expert, Ukraine's chain of command for major decisions involves:
- The Presidential Office (Bankova Street)
- The Verkhovna Rada (Parliament)
- The Cabinet of Ministers
Therefore, he contends, responsibility for decisions impacting the energy sector must be clearly defined within this structure, not outsourced to an ostensibly independent commission.
Oleh Popenko's statements on the NEURC's personnel choices and his call for its subordination to the Cabinet underscore ongoing concerns about transparency and accountability in a sector vital to Ukraine's economy and citizens' welfare. Proposed legislative reforms could represent a significant step toward more direct and answerable management of the country's energy policy.