Ukrenergo without a leader: Supervisory Board dismisses Vitaliy Zaichenko
26 September 17:10
The Supervisory Board of NPC Ukrenergo has decided to dismiss Vitaliy Zaichenko from the position of the company’s Chairman of the Board. This was reported by informed sources of the Public Broadcasting Company, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
Details of the motives for the decision have not yet been disclosed. All members of the board have been given the status of acting directors. Among them is Oleksiy Brekht, who is temporarily acting as the chairman of the board.
What is known about Zaichenko
Vitaliy Zaichenko is a Ukrainian power engineer who was appointed chairman of the board in June 2025, when all seven members of the supervisory board voted for his candidacy. Prior to that, he worked as the company’s chief dispatcher, managing Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
Zaichenko started his career at Ukrenergo in 1996 as an engineer at the Electricity Regimes Optimization Service. He took an active part in research to create the Burshtyn TPP Island and the possibility of synchronous interconnection of the IPS of Ukraine with ENTSO-E.
Vitaliy Zaichenko’s dismissal from the post of Ukrenergo CEO is important for several reasons:
Energy stability of the country
“Ukrenergo manages the main power grids and balancing of the Ukrainian energy system. A change of management may affect:
- operational management of the power system;
- implementation of strategic plans for modernization and restoration of grids;
- the speed of response to emergencies, including military calls amid the war.
Political and corporate signal
The dismissal of the chairman of the board is often seen as a manifestation of state control over a key state-owned enterprise. Possible aspects:
- The Ministry of Energy, as a shareholder, can increase its influence on the company’s management;
- demonstration of readiness for corporate changes and reforms in the public sector;
- a signal to the market and partners that the management of state-owned companies is becoming more “controlled” and transparent.
Internal corporate processes
- All board members are now acting, which makes it possible to hold a competition for a new CEO in accordance with the updated rules.
- The transition period allows the Supervisory Board to assess the company’s needs and select the best candidate without haste.
A signal to the market and international partners
“Ukrenergo interacts with international energy companies. The change of the CEO may
- affect the confidence of investors and partners;
- signal a new strategy or political line in the development of the power system;
- emphasize the active role of the state in ensuring energy security.
on June 13, the Ministry of Energy, as the company’s sole shareholder, amended Ukrenergo’s charter.
Now, the chairman of the board can be elected in several attempts: the first two require a qualified majority (at least five votes out of seven), and the third requires a simple majority.
