Ukraine introduces dynamic electricity pricing: what will change for consumers with smart meters

On September 15, 2026, the National Commission for State Regulation of Energy and Public Services (NRECU) approved a draft amendment to the Rules of the Retail Electricity Market. The document introduces a dynamic electricity pricing mechanism into Ukrainian practice and significantly expands consumers' rights to choose their supplier. This was reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing a statement from the regulator.

Dynamic pricing: how the new mechanism will work

The key innovation concerns consumers equipped with intelligent (smart) meters. They will be entitled to conclude electricity supply contracts at a dynamic price, which will fluctuate in line with market movements. At the same time, the switch to dynamic pricing is strictly voluntary: the consumer decides for themselves whether to enter into such a contract or remain on a fixed tariff. The obligation to make it possible to conclude a contract at a dynamic price is placed on suppliers serving more than 200,000 consumers.

Free supplier switching and selection from the registry

The second significant change is the free switching of electricity supplier for household and small non-household consumers. Previously, the process of moving from one supplier to another could be accompanied by administrative barriers and, in some cases, costs. Now, consumers will be able to freely choose a supplier from among the companies authorized to operate on the Ukrainian market and registered in the prescribed manner. This, as intended by the regulator, is meant to stimulate competition and lower prices.

European integration as a driver of reform

The prepared amendments are directly linked to the implementation of legislation on integrating Ukraine's energy markets with European ones. The introduction of dynamic pricing and free supplier choice is in line with the requirements of EU directives in the energy sector and is aimed at strengthening the rights of end consumers. Thus, the reform is part of a broader process of aligning Ukraine's power system with the single European electricity market.

Context: grid restoration and fixed tariffs

The regulatory changes are taking place against the backdrop of large-scale restoration of power supply. According to data previously published by RBC-Ukraine, over the past week DTEK energy workers restored electricity supply to more than 560,000 households in four regions that had been left without power as a result of Russian attacks. In parallel, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal stated that the current electricity tariffs for household consumers would remain unchanged, as the price is fixed at the legislative level.

Contradictory data

The materials provided by RBC-Ukraine contain fragments that are not fully disclosed: the description of the dynamic price states that it will change "depending on fluctuations," but the specific parameters (time zones, weekly intervals, linkage to wholesale indices) are not given in the text. Similarly, the list of jurisdictions in which an authorized supplier must be registered is cut off in the source. This creates uncertainty in the details of the mechanism's implementation. On the other hand, Shmyhal's statement about the invariability of the fixed tariff does not formally contradict the introduction of dynamic pricing, since the latter is positioned as an option rather than a replacement for the base tariff. Nevertheless, for consumers without smart meters, the practical difference between the two scenarios has not yet been clarified.