Chernyshov: Utilities owe ₴95B to Naftogaz

Oleksiy Chernyshov, CEO of Naftogaz of Ukraine, said this in an interview with Ukrinform.

"We should not increase debts. Cities must pay for the resource they have consumed and pay off old debts," the CEO emphasized.

He acknowledged that the energy sector is haunted by unresolved debts, debts created as a result of certain political decisions, uncompensated grants, subsidies, etc. The debts to Naftogaz alone amount to UAH 95 billion in the utilities sector. Some of these debts are old, but there are also those that have been accumulated over the past year and a half of Russia's war.

According to the head of the company, he and his team work almost every day with city mayors to build a normal, modern, responsible system of mutual settlements for gas consumption.

Chernyshov personally believes that it is an urgent need to create an energy market in Ukraine.

"My personal opinion is that the sooner we do it, the better <...> Of course, we have to protect the population, protect the cities, so it's premature to talk about it now. But with the conditional stabilization of socio-economic life, we have to carry out this reform immediately," the official said.

However, first, the country needs to get through the winter of 2023-24 under regulated tariffs and the moratorium that is currently in place.

Chernyshov noted that the state should protect those segments of the population that need it. They are currently receiving subsidies. But those who have to pay and can afford to pay market tariffs should do so.

As reported, the head of Naftogaz of Ukraine took part in the Annual German-Ukrainian Economic Forum held on October 24 in Berlin.