Energy expert Oleg Popenko reveals the consequences of the reform of the housing and utility sector for residents of high-rise buildings. The situation is dramatic: Ukrainians may be left without centralized heating due to Law 6013, which proposes the privatization of all municipal enterprises.
According to the expert, private companies that take over the management of heating networks may refuse to service unprofitable areas, leading to a shortage of heating supply for residents.
Scale of the problem: terrible consequences for the population
Ukrainian cities have already begun to feel the consequences of the reform. For example, in Dnipro, more than a thousand houses lost centralized heating in 2020.
'Utility services stated: 'We will not pay for the repair of pipes - it's too expensive. We will disconnect you and install individual heating,' - Popenko said about the city's decision.
The most difficult situation has arisen in Pokrov and Nikopol, where centralized heating systems have completely stopped, leaving residents with heating problems and forcing them to switch to electricity.
Risk of losing housing due to privatization
Privatization may significantly increase the cost of utilities due to high gas tariffs. This could lead to mass non-payments and the threat of losing housing due to aggressive debt collection by private companies.
Popenko warns of infrastructure degradation and the possibility of turning heat energy into ruins due to residents' inability to pay high tariffs.
It is also worth noting that in many European countries, centralized heating remains municipal property due to its social importance, which outweighs commercial interests.
The reform of the housing and utility sector in Ukraine is leading to serious problems for residents of high-rise buildings, particularly the potential loss of centralized heating and rapid tariff increases. This could lead to social problems such as non-payments for utilities and the threat of losing housing due to debts to private companies.