The National Commission for State Regulation of Energy and Utilities (NEURC) has approved a draft of amendments to the Retail Electricity Market Rules. The document provides for the introduction of European demand response mechanisms into Ukrainian practice. The key innovation is that consumers will be able to receive financial rewards for the flexible use of electricity — that is, for consciously shifting part of their consumption from peak hours to periods when the load on the energy system is minimal.
How the Reward System Will Work
The essence of the proposed mechanism is simple: the more a user is willing to shift their consumption to "quiet" hours of the day, the higher their financial benefit. According to the regulator's plan, this will significantly reduce the load on the power system during critical hours when the risk of outages and emergency situations is maximal. At the same time, the consumer will not have to change their current electricity supplier — it will be enough to sign two additional contracts that formalize participation in the flexible demand program. Coordination of the process will be handled by aggregators — special market participants who combine the capabilities of individual consumers and manage their aggregate demand in the interests of grid stability.
The Role of Aggregators and Contract Structure
Aggregators act as an intermediary between the end consumer and the system operator. They collect data on users' willingness to shift the load and transmit this information to dispatch centers. For the consumer, this means that they do not need to independently track peak intervals or interact with energy companies directly — the aggregator takes on all the coordination work. The two contracts that need to be signed will fix, on the one hand, the conditions for participating in the flexible demand program, and on the other hand, the procedure for calculating and paying the reward for actual consumption shifting. The specific parameters of the contracts, including the reward calculation formula, will be detailed in the text of the resolution after the public discussion is completed.
Context of European Energy Market Integration
The changes were prepared as part of the systemic adaptation of Ukrainian legislation to European Union norms. Demand response mechanisms have long been a standard tool in EU electricity markets, where consumers, industrial enterprises, and aggregators receive direct financial motivation to level out the load. The introduction of a similar model in Ukraine will not only increase the reliability of energy supply but also bring the domestic market closer to the requirements of the European energy union. Earlier, on September 15, 2026, NEURC already approved a draft amendment allowing consumers with smart meters to conclude contracts with dynamic electricity prices — the new package of measures logically continues this line, adding an element of direct reward for flexibility.
Public Discussion and Further Steps
The draft resolution will soon be posted on the National Commission's official website to collect comments, proposals, and hold an open discussion involving all interested parties — from household consumers to large industrial enterprises and aggregator business representatives. After taking into account the received proposals, the document will be finalized and sent for final approval. In parallel, the regulator previously strengthened the protection of household consumers and changed the payment procedure for disconnection and reconnection services of electricity supply, which together forms a more transparent and predictable environment for retail electricity market participants.
