The Energy and Housing Committee of the Verkhovna Rada proposes to postpone the payment for obtaining technical conditions (TC) for connecting generating installations to the networks of NEC "Ukrenergo" in the amount of EUR 10 per 1 kW, splitting it into two equal payments.
During its meeting, the Committee decided to amend the draft law No. 11392, which was adopted in principle on August 21, 2024, that introduced the fee of EUR 10 per 1 kW of ordered capacity for the TC for connecting new generating installations to the "Ukrenergo" networks, in order to address the issue of their reservation without implementation. This fee is subsequently included in the cost of connection works.
"The fee remains, but within three months after the law comes into effect, all (those who have received TC for connection – ER) must align their contracts with it, and within one month make a 50% security deposit; after that, within six months, they can refuse the TC and get their funds back. After six months, it is no longer possible to return the funds, and within 12 months, they must pay the remaining 50%," explained the head of the energy committee, Andriy Gerus.
According to him, this will help recover "dormant technical conditions" in "Ukrenergo," but will not hinder the implementation of projects by investors who are genuinely conducting them. He clarified that "dormant technical conditions" obstruct the development of new projects, as they deprive "Ukrenergo" of the ability to offer sufficient capacities to new investors.
"We found a compromise, which leaves everyone dissatisfied, but only slightly so," added Gerus, pointing out that "Ukrenergo" and the national energy regulator NKREKU prefer the option in the draft law, while the relevant renewable energy associations are generally opposed to the advance payment.
He specified that only 7% of the technical conditions issued by "Ukrenergo" for connecting new capacity have been brought into operation, while the remaining 93% remain on paper.
According to "Ukrenergo," disclosed at the committee meeting, calculations were made based on 15 GW of capacity for which the system operator issued TC.
Representatives of the renewable energy associations and the American Chamber of Commerce present at the meeting expressed their support for abandoning the provision regarding the introduction of an advance payment, as they believe it will hinder the development of renewable energy in Ukraine.