President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, has signed a decree regarding the decision of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (NSDC) on additional measures to enhance the resilience of Ukraine's energy system during the autumn-winter period of 2023/2024.

The corresponding decree, No. 737/2023, has been published on the official website of the Head of State.

The decision of the NSDC of Ukraine from November 7, 2023, “On additional measures to enhance the resilience of the energy system and prepare the national economy for the operation during the autumn-winter period of 2023/24”, is now in force. The Cabinet of Ministers is tasked with the following within one month:

  • Find a solution to settle the debt for consumed electricity by state and/or communal enterprises of critical infrastructure, as well as budgetary institutions. This concerns arrears to the “last resort” supplier and universal service suppliers.
  • Reconstruct the thermal power plants of “Naftogaz of Ukraine” to create high-maneuver capacity.
  • Organize guaranteed supplies of hydrocarbons to Ukraine from the Caspian region.
  • Introduce state incentives for the construction of distributed generation facilities in territorial communities.
  • Increase the throughput capacity of Ukraine’s gas transportation system to ensure natural gas import and its storage in underground gas storage facilities.
  • Provide state support to national companies engaged in the production of energy equipment and machinery.
  • Introduce mobile generation to enhance maneuvering capacity and cover emergency electricity supply needs in specific energy nodes and areas.

Within two months, the Cabinet of Ministers is instructed to submit draft laws to the Verkhovna Rada for consideration:

  • Regarding the stimulation of the production of thermal energy from alternative fuels.
  • Regarding the introduction of criminal liability for unauthorized gas offtake by gas distribution system operators and industrial consumers.

Additionally, President Zelensky has tasked the Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources, National Commission for State Regulation of Energy and Public Utilities, National Commission for State Regulation of Communications and Informatization, and local administrations with several other changes.

Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine