--- title: "FRUTEC repeatedly demands NERRECU raise price caps to UAH 18,000/MWh: generation will not recover without it" description: "FRUTEC is repeatedly asking NERRECU to set electricity market price caps at no less than UAH 18,000/MWh, citing the need to restore generation amid the heating season and regular infrastructure attacks." date: 2026-11-11T18:30:36.121Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/frutec-demands-nerrecu-raise-price-caps-18000 tags: [energy, price-caps, ukraine, nkreku, generation, heating-season, fuel-energy-complex] author: "Andrey Kosynko" publisher: "XAB.info" --- # FRUTEC repeatedly demands NERRECU raise price caps to UAH 18,000/MWh: generation will not recover without it ![Two tall metal high-voltage power transmission towers against a cloudy sky and an autumn field in Ukraine](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/11/frutec-protrebuet-ot-nkreku-povysit-prays-kepy-do-18000-grn-mvtch/frutec-protrebuet-ot-nkreku-povysit-prays-kepy-do-18000-grn-mvtch-1.webp) ## Key Points - FRUTEC repeatedly demands that NERRECU set price caps no lower than UAH 18,000/MWh - Thermal generation is the hardest-hit segment, yet it covers peak loads - The cost of production for gas piston and cogeneration units is tied to gas prices and must be reflected in ceiling prices - The regulator must balance generation financial stability with consumer tariff growth The Federation of Employers of the Fuel and Energy Complex of Ukraine (FRUTEC) has repeatedly appealed to the National Commission for State Regulation of Energy and Utilities (NERRECU) with a call to set maximum price caps on organized electricity market segments at no less than UAH 18,000/MWh. This was reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing a relevant statement by the federation. The appeal comes amid the ongoing heating season and regular attacks on energy infrastructure, which daily create the risk of new damage to generating facilities. ### Thermal generation: a critical segment under pressure FRUTEC emphasizes that thermal generation remains one of the hardest-hit segments of Ukraine's energy sector. At the same time, it is precisely thermal generation that covers peak loads, rapidly responds to capacity deficits, and compensates for the outage of other generating facilities damaged as a result of attacks. According to federation representatives, the speed of repairing damaged equipment directly depends on the availability of components, materials, and companies' financial ability to maintain necessary reserves. 'At a time when the energy system operates daily under the risk of new damage, regulatory decisions must ensure the maximum readiness of available generation,' the appeal states. ### Gas piston and cogeneration units: growing role The federation pays special attention to the growing role of gas piston, gas turbine, and cogeneration units, which are necessary to cover capacity deficits and quickly balance the energy system. The cost of production at these facilities is directly tied to the price of natural gas, and, according to FRUTEC, this factor must also be taken into account when determining ceiling prices on the market. Without an adequate price signal, the federation argues, operators of such plants will not be able to cover operating costs, let alone invest in the restoration and modernization of their fleet. ### Context: price caps as a market signal tool The issue of price cap levels in Ukraine's energy sector remains one of the most debatable. Earlier, ahead of the heating season, FRUTEC had already appealed to the regulator with a similar call. Commenting on the situation, experts pointed out that understated price limits can themselves generate an electricity shortage, even without taking into account external factors such as infrastructure attacks. At the same time, a number of observers note that raising price caps is inevitably transmitted to end-consumer prices and can exert additional pressure on the economy. Thus, the regulator faces the task of finding a balance between ensuring the financial stability of generation and limiting tariff growth for end users. ### What's next At the time of preparing this material, NERRECU had not published a response to FRUTEC's repeated appeal. A decision on the level of maximum price caps on organized electricity market segments is expected to be made within the regular regulatory cycle. For generating companies operating under constant risk of damage, the speed and scale of this decision can determine the pace of energy system restoration in the coming months of the heating period. ## Fact-Check & Sources - [Прайс-кэпы должны оставлять производителям электроэнергии ресурс для восстановления после атак, - ФРУТЭК](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/prays-kepi-mayut-zalishati-virobnikam-elektroenergiyi-1794419316.html) - Primary source: FRUTEC statement regarding the repeated appeal to NERRECU demanding price caps of no less than UAH 18,000/MWh. All key quotes and arguments are taken from this material. - [Отмена повышенных прайс-кепов с 1 апреля может ударить по импорту электроэнергии – эксперт](https://www.obozrevatel.com/ekonomika-glavnaya/otmena-povyishennyih-prajs-kepov-s-1-aprelya-mozhet-udarit-po-importu-elektroenergii-ekspert.htm) - Used for context: the role of price caps as a tool for attracting imports and restoring market signals. - [Заниженные прайс-кэпы приводят к дефициту электроэнергии даже без атак, – Немировский](https://www.obozrevatel.com/ekonomika-glavnaya/zanizhennyie-prajs-kepyi-privodyat-k-defitsitu-elektroenergii-dazhe-bez-atak-nemirovskij.htm) - Used for context: the argument that strict price restrictions create shortages by themselves. - [Повышение прайс-кепов увеличит цену на электроэнергию и приведет к серьезным экономическим ...](https://ukranews.com/news/1146796-povyshenie-prajs-kepov-uvelichit-tsenu-na-elektroenergiyu-i-privedet-k-sereznym-ekonomicheskim) - Used for context: the argument that raising price caps translates into final prices and exerts pressure on the economy. ## FAQ ### What are price caps on the electricity market? Price caps are maximum ceiling prices established by the regulator for transactions on organized electricity market segments. They limit the upper bound of the price at which generation can be sold on the exchange. ### Why does FRUTEC consider UAH 18,000/MWh to be the minimum level? According to the federation, this level must account for the actual operating conditions of generation during the heating season, the cost of repairing damaged equipment, the availability of components, and the cost of production at gas piston and cogeneration units linked to natural gas prices. ### Is this FRUTEC's first appeal with such a demand? No. The federation previously urged NERRECU to raise price caps ahead of the heating season. The current appeal is a repeated one.