22.05.2025
Energy Club, Ukraine’s largest business association of energy companies, has sent official letters to Oleksiy Kuleba, Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration of Ukraine – Minister for Communities and Territories Development, and Mykyta Lahunin, Head of the State Service of Ukraine for Transport Safety. The appeals, dated May 21, 2025, address a systemic problem that significantly complicates the work of Distribution System Operators (DSOs) and jeopardizes the timely restoration of electricity supply, especially under martial law.
These appeals followed a professional discussion titled “New regulatory requirements for DSO vehicles: Challenges and solutions,” which took place on May 8, 2025, as an online talk show, Energy Freedom. During the event, representatives of DSOs, relevant government agencies, and experts discussed new regulatory challenges, particularly Order No. 1432 of the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine, dated December 6, 2024, which mandates the use of tachographs in trucks with a total weight exceeding 3.5 tons. The lack of funding for tachograph installation in the 2025 Investment Program was highlighted, which threatens the stable operation of DSOs, critical energy infrastructure facilities.
In the letters sent after this discussion, Energy Club focuses on another pressing issue: DSO special equipment (cranes, crane-boring machines, manipulators, hoists, pole carriers, loaders, etc.), used for urgent repairs of electrical networks, particularly after enemy shelling, frequently becomes subject to administrative offenses. DSO officials are accused of exceeding vehicle weight or axle load limits, as recorded by automatic systems.
Energy Club emphasizes that automatic recording systems are primarily intended for monitoring cargo carriers. However, DSO special equipment is not designed for transporting goods but is specialized machinery for repair work. Despite this, it is erroneously equated with cargo vehicles by automatic systems.
It is noted that judicial practice on this matter is inconsistent, creating a critical situation. DSOs either risk fines during emergency repairs or are forced to undergo lengthy permit procedures, leaving thousands of consumers without electricity.
In this regard, Energy Club urgently requests:
Energy Club expresses hope for understanding and prompt intervention to resolve this problem, which directly impacts the country’s energy security.
