26.05.2025
On May 27-28, the first stage of interviews with candidates for positions as members of NEURC (National Energy and Utilities Regulatory Commission) will take place. Among the 18 candidates admitted to the competition are three Vice Presidents of Energy Club: Maksym Nemchynov, Ivan Grygoruk, and Valerii Bezus. Based on the interview results, candidates will be selected for submission to the Government, which appoints NEURC members.
As reported by the Interfax-Ukraine agency, the competition has been announced for three positions as NEURC members. The selection committee for candidates for positions as members of the National Energy and Utilities Regulatory Commission, at its meeting on May 21, determined the list of candidates admitted to the competition.
This competition is an extremely important event for the entire energy sector of Ukraine, and Energy Club is proud that its Vice Presidents are among the participants – this testifies to their high professionalism, expertise, and experience – key advantages for working within NEURC.
“If I am successful in the competition, my role within NEURC will be to implement effective regulatory mechanisms that will help attract investment, ensure the stable operation of all market segments, and harmonize Ukrainian rules with European ones. I see myself as part of a team that can ensure this balance,” stated Maksym Nemchynov in an exclusive interview with the Energy Club media department. The conversation focused on reforming the energy industry, the effectiveness of state governance, and the need to establish interaction between the authorities and the business community. After all, in the context of reconstruction and European integration, NEURC requires strong managerial decisions and experience in interacting with all stakeholders for the rapid and effective recovery of markets.
– Mr. Nemchynov, what was the decisive factor that prompted you to apply for the competition?
– My 20 years of experience in the Ministry of Energy, including the positions of Deputy Minister and State Secretary, have given me a unique understanding of the systemic challenges facing the industry. I was directly involved in shaping state policy, reforming the coal and oil and gas sectors, and managing state energy companies as a member of the Supervisory Board of NEC “Ukrenergo.” The decisive factor was the realization that now, in the context of reconstruction and European integration, NEURC needs strong managerial decisions and experience in interacting with all stakeholders for the rapid and effective recovery of markets.
– How do you assess the transparency and objectivity of the competition at this stage? In general, what are your main expectations from it?
– My expectations are primarily related to the formation of a professional and independent regulatory body. I hope that the selection committee will choose candidates who are not only able to understand the problems but also to make systemic, strategic decisions. The transparency of the process, particularly online broadcasts, is an important step that increases trust in the selection. This allows the public to follow the process and, most importantly, to choose the truly best candidates.
– The energy sector today needs reform, investment, and support. In light of this, what, in your opinion, are the main challenges facing NEURC today? How do you see your role in overcoming them?
– The main challenges for NEURC are ensuring the macroeconomic stability of the energy market, adapting to European requirements and directives, and stimulating recovery and development in wartime conditions. If I am successful in the competition, my role within NEURC will be to implement effective regulatory mechanisms that will help attract investment, ensure the stable operation of all market segments (from generation to supply), and harmonize Ukrainian rules with European ones to accelerate integration. I see myself as part of a team that can ensure this balance.
– If you successfully pass the competition, what three main priorities would you define for yourself as a NEURC member?
– Maximum approximation to European legislation and practices. This is not just implementation, but deep adaptation and effective application of European directives to create a functional market. Therefore, this is probably the main priority today. The second, also important, direction is the support and development of competition in all segments of the energy market. Because competition is the driver of efficiency and lower prices for consumers. And finally, the third thing that is critically needed in Ukrainian energy today is the creation of clear and predictable conditions for business. This includes reducing bureaucratic obstacles, simplifying licensing and tariff-setting procedures so that investors feel protected and have clear guidelines.
– Your significant experience in the Ministry of Energy will undoubtedly help in shaping NEURC policy.
– My experience in senior management positions allows me to see the energy sector as an integrated system interconnected with the country’s economy. I understand how state decisions are made, how different departments interact, and how policy is formed. This will enable me to work effectively on regulatory decisions – comprehensively, taking into account the interests of all market participants, the state, and consumers. And these decisions will be realistic to implement.
– What specific changes, in your opinion, are needed in tariff setting, licensing, or regulation of energy and utility markets?
– In tariff setting, I would strive for greater transparency in the formula and the investment component, so that consumers understand what they are paying for, and investors understand where their funds are going. In licensing – significant simplification of procedures and removal of administrative barriers for new players to stimulate growth and innovation. In market regulation, it is necessary to strengthen monitoring of compliance with competition rules and actively work to identify and prevent monopolistic abuses.
– Mr. Nemchynov, what should be the cooperation between NEURC and other state bodies, market participants, and international partners to achieve common goals?
– Systematic and constructive. My contacts and experience working with the Ministry of Energy, the Verkhovna Rada, as well as with system operators and business representatives through Energy Club will allow me to effectively establish dialogue and find compromise solutions. I believe in the power of public consultations and the involvement of the expert community.
– How can NEURC contribute to attracting investment in the energy sector of Ukraine and ensuring its sustainable development?
– The main thing is to create a predictable and stable regulatory field. Investors need confidence that the rules of the game will not change tomorrow. NEURC can ensure this through long-term regulatory plans, transparent tariff formation, and clear investment incentives. We must provide investors with clear guarantees and minimize their risks.
– What does transparency in the work of the regulator mean to you, and how do you plan to ensure it?
– Transparency for me means maximum openness of information regarding decision-making processes, publication of all draft regulatory acts, and the opportunity for the public and market participants to provide their comments and proposals. It also means regular reporting on NEURC’s activities and justification of key decisions so that every step of the regulator is understandable.
– The participation of three Energy Club Vice Presidents in the competition testifies to the high professional level of the community. What can you say about the role of Energy Club in ensuring dialogue between government and business and influencing policy formation in the energy sector?
– The fact that three Vice Presidents of Energy Club are participants in such an important competition is clear evidence of the growing role of the business community and expert centers in shaping state policy. It demonstrates that Energy Club unites highly qualified specialists with diverse experience who are ready to take responsibility for the future of Ukrainian energy. We are proud that we can offer such strong candidates for the regulator.
Energy Club is confident that the high professional level of our colleagues will allow them to contribute to the development of an effective and modern system of state regulation in the energy sector as part of NEURC. We wish all candidates success in the competition stages! We believe that a transparent and objective selection process will allow for the formation of a highly professional composition of the regulator, capable of effectively responding to the challenges facing the energy industry of Ukraine.
