From December 1, new rules for power cut-offs come into effect: when debt will not lead to disconnection

Updated rules regarding electricity supply in Ukraine

Starting from December 1, 2023, updated rules for electricity disconnection for residential consumers will come into effect in Ukraine. These changes have been approved by the National Commission for State Regulation in the Spheres of Energy and Utilities (NERC). The new rules provide certain guarantees for consumers who have electricity debts.

According to the new rules, if a consumer disputes the debt in court, electricity supply cannot be disconnected during the entire period of the court proceedings. This means that residential consumers receive certain protection in case disputes arise regarding the amounts charged. However, to benefit from this guarantee, the consumer must provide the supplier with a copy of the ruling on the initiation of proceedings by the scheduled disconnection date.

Important aspects of the innovations

It should be noted that these innovations apply exclusively to residential consumers. Legal entities are deprived of such protection, indicating a different approach to regulating electricity consumption for different categories of consumers. Thus, starting from December 1, 2023, Ukrainian residential consumers will gain more rights and opportunities in cases related to electricity debts.

These legislative changes may significantly impact residential consumers, as they provide additional legal protection in conflicts with electricity suppliers. In the context of the economic situation in Ukraine, where utility debts can be considerable, such innovations may help consumers avoid disconnections while disputes are being addressed. However, it is important to note that legal entities remain without similar protection, which could create additional risks for businesses in cases of electricity debts.