A significant increase in the electricity transmission tariff for non-household consumers, approved by the National Energy Regulatory Commission (NERC), has sparked a wave of criticism from business and experts. In particular, the executive director of the National Association of Mining Industries of Ukraine, Ksenia Orynchak, stated that such actions could make Ukrainian products uncompetitive and the country less attractive to foreign investors.
The increase in tariffs directly affects key sectors of the economy, in particular the mining industry.
“Electricity is a basic factor for mining companies. The increase in the cost of production can make the industry unprofitable, and investors simply will not invest in our economy. This undermines economic and national security,” Orynchak explained.
The expert also recalled that a successful tariff policy is a guarantee of attracting investments that could strengthen Ukraine's defense capabilities through economic growth and supporting the interests of foreign partners.
The National Commission explains the decision by the need to increase salaries for Ukrenergo employees and repay loan debts.
However, the Federation of Employers of Ukraine insists that instead of raising tariffs, the company should consider alternative options, including restructuring loans and optimizing costs.
Experts warn that such a sharp increase in tariffs could lead to:
- increasing costs at industrial enterprises;
- loss of competitiveness of Ukrainian products on international markets;
- decreasing investor interest in the Ukrainian economy.
