Starting October 1, updated rules for disconnecting electricity to residential consumers due to accumulated debts come into effect in Ukraine. The National Energy and Utilities Regulatory Commission (NEURC) has introduced clear legislative restrictions designed to protect citizens from excessive financial extortion by monopolies. The innovations affect maximum tariffs for disconnection and reconnection services, and establish a fixed debt threshold above which strict sanctions apply.

Debt Threshold and New Tariffs

The main innovation is the approval of a debt threshold at 1664 hryvnias, which is equivalent to half of the subsistence minimum for able-bodied persons. If a subscriber's debt amount at the time of forming the official warning is below this figure, distribution system operators have no right to impose the costs of disconnection and subsequent restoration work on the consumer. A similar rule applies if, after recalculation based on actual meter readings, it turns out that the actual debt is less than the established limit.

Before the adoption of these changes, oblenergos in various regions independently set prices for their services, as a result of which the cost of disconnection and reconnection could reach an astronomical 5000 hryvnias. Now a unified mechanism with a strict price cap has been implemented. On average, the estimated cost of a complex of such works excluding VAT will be about 1020 hryvnias. At the same time, the legislation directly obliges energy companies to choose the least expensive ways of performing work and prohibits imposing additional paid services.

Warning Procedure and Restoration Terms

Electricity suppliers are required to follow a strict protocol for interacting with debtors. The consumer must be notified in writing about the possible termination of electricity supply due to non-payment no later than 10 working days before the planned disconnection date. This time lag gives citizens the opportunity to resolve financial issues or challenge charges if they consider them incorrect.

To fully restore power supply after paying off the debt, the subscriber must submit a corresponding application to the servicing organization. After that, energy workers are obliged to return electricity to urban homes within 3 working days, and for rural residents, this period is up to 5 working days. Experts note that these measures are being taken against the background of the country's preparation for a very difficult heating season and potential infrastructure risks.