Electricity tariffs: who will be affected by the increase
11 April 2024 14:28
Against the backdrop of Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities, there has been talk of a rise in electricity prices for the population. In particular, the Cabinet of Ministers does not rule out this possibility. However, there is a category of consumers in Ukraine for whom tariffs have already been tripled, Komersant ukrainskyi 
citing the press service of Vinnytsiaoblenergo.
Somewhat unexpectedly, it is about consumers who steal electricity and the increase in fines for stealing it.
According to the oblenergo, the calculation of the cost of unaccounted-for electricity under the act of violation is always the product of three values:
- the estimated daily consumption volume;
- the cost of the oblenergo’s expenses for the purchase of 1 kWh to compensate for unplanned losses; transmission and distribution costs during the period of violation of the WEM by the consumer
- the number of days during which electricity was consumed in violation of the WEM.
“Previously, the tariff used to be applied in the calculation of the violation report, which was used by the consumer to pay for electricity. Now, it is only the price of the distribution system operator’s (oblenergo’s) expenses for the purchase of 1 kWh of electricity to compensate for unplanned losses and the cost of its distribution and transmission,”
– reports Vinnytsiaoblenergo.
In other words, this price is the sum of the average purchase price of electricity by the system operator and the tariffs for electricity transmission and distribution services during the relevant calendar month.
While the transmission and distribution tariffs are set by the NEURC, the average purchase price of electricity by the operator is determined after the fact, after the results of the balancing market are summed up. This price is different every month. For example, in 2023, the price ranged from UAH 3.17 to 5.07 per kWh excluding VAT. Accordingly, the tariff for paying for violation reports also varied widely: from UAH 6.03 to UAH 8.79 per kWh.
“Thus, consumers who dare to violate the rules of the retail electricity market (theft) will not only pay for the stolen electricity, but will also pay at a price that is higher than the market price. For household consumers, the price is almost three times higher – not UAH 2.64/kWh (the approved electricity tariff), but from UAH 6.03 to 8.79/kWh,”
– said Vinnytsiaoblenergo.
The possibility of an increase in electricity tariffs was raised after the largest-scale Russian attack on the Ukrainian energy sector, with the Cabinet of Ministers not ruling out the possibility of a tariff increase.
It is known that Centrenergo has lost 100% of its generation, and DTEK has damaged 80% of its capacity.
According to the former Energy Minister, the situation at Trypillia TPP is critical.
Ukrenergo urged Ukrainians to save electricity during peak hours.
