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Energy Club special project

Reform of the National Commission for the Regulation of Energy and Utilities of Ukraine: Institutional Independence, European Integration, and Rules of the Game for the Market

The fate of the energy market, investor confidence and billions of euros of financing under the Ukraine Facility program depend on the reboot of the national Regulator. Energy Club brought together authors of legislative initiatives, international donors (EU and Energy Community), European regulators and leading lawyers to find the optimal model for Ukraine.

Final Forum:
What will the new Regulator be like?

We invite energy business representatives, investors and experts to the final offline meeting. We will summarize our research and hold a direct discussion with key reform stakeholders.

Venue: Kyiv
Date: 02.04.2026
Duration: 14:00 - 16:00
Format: Offline (Kyiv) + closed networking
Language: Ukrainian

European Experience: Analytics

Before changing Ukrainian laws, we analysed how independent energy regulators work in neighbouring countries.

Poland
Analytical review POLAND (URE)
Monocratic model. Sole responsibility of the URE President, a clear regulatory framework, and appeals against decisions exclusively through a specialised court (SOKiK).
Austria
Analytical review AUSTRIA (E-Control)
Two-tier management system (Board + Regulatory Commission) and 100% market prices for households. The regulator focuses exclusively on natural monopolies and competition protection.
Moldova
MOLDOVA (ANRE)
Multi-sector regulator. Directors appointed by Parliament, independent funding and strict oversight of the petroleum products market.

Exclusive
interviews

"The Regulator has no «boss». We are funded from the budget, but the Government cannot influence our decisions. We guarantee Ukrainian traders transparent licensing conditions and REMIT compliance."

Moldova

"European Arbitrator": Head of Slovakia's regulator (ÚRSO) on independence from the government, price control and opportunities for Ukrainian traders

NKREKP Reset:
Two Reform Paths

Two conceptually different models for the future Regulator have been registered in the Verkhovna Rada. Energy Club conducted a detailed legal analysis of both initiatives.

Main Bill (No. 14282)
Authors:
A. Zhupanyn and the relevant committee.
Essence:
Full accelerated rotation of all NKREKP members within 12 months.
Selection Committee:
The casting vote is granted to representatives of international organisations (EU, Energy Community).
Business Amendment:
Presumption of lawfulness of business actions (if the company acted in accordance with the Regulator's clarifications).
Alternative Bill (No. 14282-1)
Authors:
V. Hryb, O. Kucherenko.
Essence:
Rejection of "blanket lustration". Dismissal of members only based on an audit of their activities and NACP verification.
Selection Committee:
Exclusively representatives of parliamentary committees (7 people). International experts — with advisory vote only.
Business Amendment:
Establishment of the Energy Ombudsman institution and a Disciplinary Commission under the Cabinet of Ministers.
Read the legal analysis by Energy Club experts

Direct Speech:

Aron Kerpel-Fronius
«

Strengthening the Regulator's independence is a priority and an important milestone for receiving funding under the Ukraine Facility programme. We support the involvement of international experts in the selection process.

Aron Kerpel-Fronius
EU Delegation
Andriy Yuris
«

If you play football, you want an independent referee. International experts on the selection committee are a temporary measure to build investor trust.

Andriy Yuris
Energy Community
Ivan Plachkov
«

An energy market during wartime, with a 50% deficit, is an absurdity that allows billions to be siphoned off. We need not just a Regulator, but strict control of licensing conditions and professional expertise.

Ivan Plachkov
Head of VEA, ex-minister
Yuriy Prodan
«

The current selection procedure is a farce. Strict professional requirements must be prescribed, and the right to appoint the Commission should be given to the Government so that it bears direct political responsibility for it.

Yuriy Prodan
ex-minister, ex-head of NCRE
Oleksiy Hnatenko
«

Dismissing everyone indiscriminately by law is hidden lustration. This approach will generate a wave of lawsuits for reinstatement and chaos in the sector.

Oleksiy Hnatenko
Juscutum
Oleksandr Trokhymets
«

All talk of absolute independence runs into the Constitution. The Regulator is an executive body and must be subordinate to the Cabinet of Ministers.

Oleksandr Trokhymets
NAAU Energy Committee
Jan Haitzmann
«

If you pay peanuts, you hire amateurs.

Jan Haitzmann
Serhiy Titenko
«

The authorities must have the courage to directly appoint the Regulator and bear full political responsibility for it before voters.

Serhiy Titenko
Ex-head of NCRE
Oleh Bakulin
«

This reform is not about efficiency. It is an attempt to remove "inconvenient" obstacles — open hearings and AMCU oversight — to make the Regulator compliant and controllable.

Oleh Bakulin
Andriy Zhupanyn
«

The NKREKP reset is a political decision. And without the participation of international experts, we will lose billions of euros.

Andriy Zhupanyn
Viktoriia Hryb
«

We are against blanket lustration. If there are violations, there must be accountability.

Viktoriia Hryb
Oleksiy Kucherenko
«

The independence of the Regulator means when the head of NKREKP can say "No" to a phone call from Bankova.

Oleksiy Kucherenko

Meeting Reports:

Euro-Integration Test for NEURC: EU and Energy Community Define Conditions for Maintaining Investor Confidence in Ukraine’s Energy Market
02 Feb
UPDATE: NEURC Reboot: "Synergy of Two Bills" or a Political Decision? Energy Club Hosted a Debate with Reform Authors
06 Jan

Position of the EU Delegation in Ukraine and the Energy Community Secretariat:

EU and Energy Community on NEURC Reform: Regulator Independence is Priority #1
12 Jan

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