New Regulatory Requirements for DSO Vehicles: Challenges and Solutions

In the context of full-scale aggression and a critical shortage of financial resources, Distribution System Operators (DSOs) in Ukraine have faced new regulatory challenges. Order No. 1432 of the Ministry of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine dated 06.12.2024 has come into force, mandating the use of tachographs on trucks with a gross vehicle weight exceeding 3.5 tons. The lack of allocated funding for the installation of tachographs in the 2025 Investment Program poses a threat to the stable operation of DSOs, which are critical energy infrastructure facilities and carry out daily restoration and repair work after enemy shelling.

This meeting aims to discuss the problematic aspects of implementing the new tachograph requirements for DSOs, evaluate possible alternative methods for monitoring drivers’ working and rest hours, identify potential sources of funding, and jointly develop proposals for necessary changes to regulatory acts to account for the specific nature of Distribution System Operators’ activities in the current realities.

We invite representatives of DSOs, relevant ministries and agencies, Members of Parliament of Ukraine, experts, and other interested parties for a constructive dialogue.

Discussion Questions:

1. Alternative Control Methods:

• Is it possible to use individual driver logbooks or driver shift schedules as an alternative to tachographs in the current conditions?
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of using alternative control methods for DSOs?

2. Funding and Support:

• What sources of funding can be attracted to cover the costs of installing tachographs for DSOs?
• Is there a possibility of introducing changes to the 2025 Investment Program to include the costs of tachographs?
• What additional financial resources and support mechanisms can be mobilized to assist DSOs in complying with the new requirements under martial law?

3. Regulatory Changes:

• Is there a justified need to amend the Order of the Ministry of Transport and Communications of Ukraine dated 07.06.2010 No. 340 (as amended by the Order of the Ministry of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine dated 06.12.2024 No. 1432) to take into account the specifics of the activities of electricity Distribution System Operators?
• What specific proposals for changes to regulatory acts can be formulated to ensure the effective operation of DSOs without creating excessive financial and administrative burden?
• What arguments can be used to justify the need for such changes before the relevant state bodies?

Moderator

Valerii Bezus

Vice President of Energy Club

Speakers

Oleksandr Homeniuk, Executive Director at PJSC Cherkasyoblenergo
Serhii Shatalov, First Deputy Executive Director at PJSC Zaporizhiaoblenergo
Serhii Shashkov, Director of Operations Support at JSC Sumyoblenergo
Mykola Hlushchenko, Head of the Central Transport Service at JSC Kharkivoblenergo
Serhii Khondohii, Head of the Mechanization and Transport Safety Service at JSC Ternopiloblenergo
Viacheslav Zahrodskiy, Head of the Mechanization and Transport Safety Service at JSC Khmelnytskoblenergo
Maksym Rudenko, Head of Transport and Logistics Service at JSC “Sumyoblenergo”
Serhii Tsyganenko, Head of the Contract Group at JSC “Sumyoblenergo”
Andrii Goriachev, brand manager for special equipment at Tekhkomplekt Trading House LLC