22.01.2026
“The word ‘independence’ is a great deception. The government must have the courage to directly appoint the Regulator and bear full responsibility for them before the voters.”
Former NERC Chairman Serhii Titenko called for an end to hypocrisy regarding Regulator “independence” and suggested looking at global experience.
On Government Responsibility
Titenko believes that complex selection commissions are a way to dilute responsibility for personnel decisions.
“The word ‘independence’ is a manipulation. We play at being a quasi-judicial body, but in reality, departments prepare the decisions, and commission members simply sign off on them. If the government bears political responsibility for tariffs and energy, it has the right to appoint the Regulator. In many countries, commission members are appointed directly by parliament or the government. That is honest.”
On Radical Ideas: Foreigners and AI
The expert cited international practices, such as in Abu Dhabi, where experts are hired based on merit regardless of nationality.
“Why do we only invite foreigners to the selection commission? Maybe we should invite them directly into the NEURC? Or go further: perhaps one of the seats on the Commission should be given to Artificial Intelligence? It would certainly be impartial.”
