30.07.2025
Energy Club’s systematic efforts to resolve the issue of fines for size and weight control (SWC) for energy companies’ emergency crews have received factual confirmation from the regions. In response to the Club’s official inquiries, Distribution System Operators (JSC “Sumyoblenergo,” JSC “Kharkivoblenergo,” JSC “Khmelnytskoblenergo,” JSC “Cherkasyoblenergo,” OJSC “Ternopiloblenergo,” and JSC “Mykolaivoblenergo”) have provided specific data proving that the problem is systemic and extends far beyond just fines, directly impacting the speed of electricity supply restoration. Companies operating in frontline and border regions confirmed instances of fines being imposed on special-purpose vehicles carrying out urgent emergency work.
JSC “Sumyoblenergo” reported five fines totaling UAH 170,000. The company emphasized that because they cannot wait for a permit (a procedure that takes at least 14 days), they are forced into “compelled SWC violations” to restore power to tens of thousands of consumers.
JSC “Cherkasyoblenergo” recorded a case where a UAH 17,000 fine was issued to a mobile crane involved in constructing a protective shelter for transformers at a critically important substation.
Both companies also noted that attempts to appeal these fines in court have been unsuccessful, and the process of appealing a single fine, according to “Cherkasyoblenergo,” required approximately 37 man-hours. Even companies that try to operate within the current legislation face critical delays. According to “Kharkivoblenergo” and “Khmelnytskoblenergo,” the procedure for obtaining a permit for special-purpose vehicles to travel takes from 10 to 15 business days. “Cherkasyoblenergo” estimates this period to be three weeks. This makes it impossible to respond promptly to emergencies caused by shelling or bad weather. As noted by “Cherkasyoblenergo,” even a 1-2 hour stop for a document check on the road creates a risk of disrupting the entire work plan, which is often coordinated with the central dispatcher for a very short time frame. Meanwhile, responses from regions currently less affected by shelling show varied practical experiences but a unified position on the need for change. For instance, OJSC “Ternopiloblenergo” and JSC “Mykolaivoblenergo” reported that the issue of fines is not critical for them at present. However, both companies unequivocally supported the Energy Club’s initiative. This indicates that the industry is united in its understanding: the problem is systemic and requires a preventive legislative solution.
The response from “Kharkivoblenergo” revealed two additional systemic problems:
“The data we’ve received constitutes a powerful evidence base. Even if the severity of the problem varies by region, it is systemic and creates critical obstacles for the work of energy professionals, especially in frontline areas,” emphasized Andrii Kistrytsia, President of Energy Club. “When restoring power requires waiting 15 days for a permit, it is a direct threat to national security. We thank all the companies for the information provided. This analysis will form the basis of our joint appeals to the Cabinet of Ministers and the Verkhovna Rada with a demand to immediately amend the legislation and grant the special-purpose vehicles of DSOs the same status as other emergency services.”
As a reminder, Energy Club previously appealed to the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine, the National Energy and Utilities Regulatory Commission (NEURC), and the heads of regional military administrations, urging them to support the initiative at the state level. The systematic work continues.
