The Ukrainian energy sector found itself in a crisis situation due to the record level of debt on the balancing electricity market, which reached UAH 34.5 billion in 2024.
This was stated by Adrian Prokip, expert of the "Energy" program of the "Ukrainian Future Institute" analytical center. According to him, this growth is 12.7% compared to the previous year.
Of this amount, the debt of NEC "Ukrenergo" to balancing service providers amounts to UAH 13.6 billion , which significantly complicates the financial situation in the industry.
The expert emphasizes that such debts are a serious barrier to the development of new generations and the attraction of investments in the industry.
"The situation, when after selling electricity, you can wait a year and a half for payment, scares off even those who already have their own generation," Prokip notes.
Imperfect debt collection mechanisms, lack of financial guarantees for market participants, as well as regular destruction of the energy system due to the war with Russia only deepen the crisis.
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted a draft law, which is partly intended to solve the debt problem, but, according to Prokip, these are only temporary measures.
"Systemic changes are necessary to balance the market and gradually get rid of debts. Administrative methods will not help here," the expert emphasizes.
He adds that only a proactive policy can create the prerequisites for the development of new generation, which is critically necessary in the face of regular attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure.
In its report, the Florence School of Regulation (FSR) also noted that the reason for the situation is the lack of debt collection mechanisms and the lack of effective financial guarantees. This not only worsens the liquidity of the market, but also undermines its investment attractiveness.
