The government set electricity tariffs illegally: who received 50 billion hryvnias

Electricity tariffs in Ukraine: problems and consequences

According to ХВИЛЯ: The government of Ukraine and the NEURC established electricity tariffs for the population in violation of the legislation, without proper financial and economic justification. This has led to the emergence of an additional financial flow of approximately 50 billion hryvnias per year. Electricity tariffs were approved for 2023-2024, which raised concerns among experts and consumers.

According to the data, the companies 'Energoatom' and 'Ukrhydroenergo' formed the stated funds. Meanwhile, the pricing task force in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine noted in May that 'Energoatom' received 61 billion hryvnias of undistributed profit. The company's plans for this year include obtaining an additional 32 billion hryvnias. Confirmation of these facts was a preliminary report by the task force, which was voted on by 272 members of parliament. The final report of the commission was approved by the Council three weeks ago and contained information about management and financial violations in state energy companies.

“The authorities justified the regulated price only by the fact that it is lower than the market price.”

Oleg Popenko, founder of the public organization 'Consumers Union of Utility Services'

Popenko also noted that the money was redistributed among various market participants, raising additional questions regarding the transparency and justification of such decisions. He emphasized that tariffs in Ukraine are formed not by the economy, but by politics, which could have serious consequences for consumers and the stability of the energy market.

Analysis of the situation and conclusions

A similar scheme of tariff establishment, as it turned out, was used in 2016 for the introduction of 'import parity' for gas, raising concerns about potential repetitions of such practices in the future. In the context of the current challenges in the energy sector in Ukraine, the issue of tariff formation requires careful analysis and review.

This situation underscores the importance of transparency and economic justification in the process of setting utility tariffs, as deficiencies in regulation can lead to significant financial losses for the state and consumers. In the context of an unstable economic situation and war in Ukraine, proper management of energy resources becomes critically important for ensuring energy security and social justice for the population.