While the government is preparing new rules and tariffs for 2026, suspicions of abuse have flared up again around state-owned generation. These include contracts between PJSC Centrenergo and private coal suppliers, where significant advances were not supported by actual deliveries or fuel quality. According to complaints and publications, the schemes involve the companies Teplosfera UA and Energo Resource Group. Some of the allegations are already supported by documents and court records, while others are at the level of media reports and require verification by regulatory authorities.
In October 2024, Centrenergo transferred UAH 132 million in advance to Teplosfera UA under a contract for the supply of 33.5 thousand tons of coal. In fact, only 1,519 tons (less than 5% of the volume) were received, after which legal disputes arose regarding the fulfillment of obligations and the return of funds. This was reported by specialized media with reference to the materials of the contract and court registers; information about the contract itself and its chronology is also recorded in the databases of court documents.
Separately, the publications mention deliveries through Energo Resource Group for amounts exceeding UAH 1–1.5 billion with predominantly advance payments and dubious confirmation of the origin of coal. Some of the locations of the declared “production bases” are in the combat zone, where they actually do not function. This data is currently published by a number of media and investigative sites; they require official verification. At the same time, the registry data about the company itself and changes in its beneficiaries are open in state registers.
This is not the first time that PJSC "Centrenergo" has been in the focus of anti-corruption agencies due to the procurement of fuel and materials. NABU and SAPO previously completed investigations into episodes involving losses for the company, and the cases were transferred to court; the media have repeatedly raised the topic of price gouging and supplier collusion. This emphasizes that any new signals involving the company should be verified immediately and publicly.
As of 2025, the relevant department is headed by Svitlana Hrynchuk. In publications and complaints, she is called a political “roofing” for the controversial contracts of “Centrenergo”. At present, these are accusations that require official verification; no open court decisions or procedural decisions of law enforcement officers regarding these allegations have been found in the public domain. The Ministry of Energy and “Centrenergo” must provide detailed explanations regarding advances, quality control, and refunds in the event of supply disruptions.
What the state should do now. First, conduct an audit of all advance contracts with coal in 2024–2025 and publish the results with monthly dynamics of deliveries and acceptance certificates. Second, ensure recourse claims by Centrenergo against counterparties in case of non-fulfillment of contracts and record the movement of funds at the prepayment stage. Third, oblige the state-owned company to switch to a model of minimum advances with phased payment "upon fact", and not by letters of guarantee. Finally, a public report by the Ministry of Energy on fuel quality control at thermal power plants, broken down by mines and enrichment plants, is needed - this will reduce the space for "cheating" under the guise of "conditioned" coal and wear and tear on equipment at thermal power plants (a problem that the market has been talking about for years).
The story with "Teplosfera UA" already has traces in the courts and registries. The stories surrounding "Energo Resource Group" are high-profile in scale, but for public trust, official procedural actions and transparent information are critically needed. If "coal" existed only on paper, the money should return to the budget, and official decisions should receive a proper legal assessment.
