The Secretariat of the European Energy Community (EEC) labeled claims that the certification process for the NEC "Ukrenergo" as an independent transmission system operator is linked to the potential import of electricity from Europe as "misleading."
"Claims that this process (the certification of 'Ukrenergo' – E.R.) will affect Ukraine's ability to import electricity from the EU during the winter period are misleading. Energy imports are crucial for ensuring reliable energy supply, especially during the cold season when access to it is essential for basic services and public welfare," – the statement from the EEC Secretariat on their website stated on Tuesday.
The Secretariat clarified that the certification of "Ukrenergo" began long before the war, aiming to align its management with EU standards.
"We regret that an internal letter from the Energy Community Secretariat addressed to the NEURC was used to spread these claims," – it was noted.
Additionally, the statement emphasized that the EEC remains focused on supporting Ukraine's energy resilience through practical assistance, including increasing electricity imports and repairing infrastructure.
As reported, the Director of the European Energy Community Secretariat, Artur Lorkowski, in a letter to the head of the National Commission for State Regulation in the Spheres of Energy and Utilities (NEURC), Yuriy Vlasenko, specifically pointed out that the absence of a supervisory board for NEC "Ukrenergo" poses a threat to its certification as an independent transmission system operator, which is essential for synchronizing the Ukrainian and European energy systems. He believes that the supervisory board of "Ukrenergo" should be formed by December 9, when the powers of its only independent member expire. The competition for the selection of the supervisory board was announced in early October, and the government has announced its completion by December 9.
Director of the Energy Research Center, Alexander Kharchenko, noted that the cancellation of the NEC certification would lead to the cancellation of electricity imports from Europe.
The head of the NEURC, Vlasenko, commented to EnergoReform that there are no prerequisites for canceling the certification of NEC "Ukrenergo" as an independent transmission system operator.
"As of today, I see no problems with the certification of 'Ukrenergo.' According to European procedures, new members of the company's supervisory board are being selected. The selection timelines have been established. We do not see any market issues that are currently being fueled by so-called experts," – he said on October 15.
According to him, the national energy regulator does not even theoretically consider canceling the NEC certification.