---
title: "Ukrainians Will Be Offered Pay for Saving Electricity During Peak Hours: NEURC Introduces European Demand Response Mechanism"
description: "NEURC has approved a draft amendment allowing Ukrainian consumers to receive financial rewards for shifting electricity consumption away from peak hours. The mechanism will be coordinated by aggregators and will become part of the market's adaptation to European standards."
date: 2026-10-27T18:03:43.748Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/ukrainians-offered-pay-saving-electricity-peak-hours
tags: [ukraine, energy, electricity, demand-response, nkraku, eu-integration, aggregators]
author: "Darya Fomina"
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Ukrainians Will Be Offered Pay for Saving Electricity During Peak Hours: NEURC Introduces European Demand Response Mechanism

![Woman holding a laundry basket near a washing machine at home](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/27/ukraina-vynagorodzhennya-za-ekonomiyu-elektroenergii-v-pikovye-chasy/ukraina-vynagorodzhennya-za-ekonomiyu-elektroenergii-v-pikovye-chasy-1.webp)

## Key Points

- NEURC approved a draft to introduce European demand response mechanisms for electricity
- Consumers will receive financial rewards for shifting consumption from peak hours
- The process will be coordinated by aggregators — special market participants
- Consumers do not need to change suppliers; signing two additional contracts is sufficient
- The draft will be published for public discussion on the National Commission's website

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.

## Fact-Check & Sources

- [В Украине хотят вознаграждать за экономию света в пиковые часы: что предлагает регулятор](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/ukrayini-hochut-vinagorodzhuvati-ekonomiyu-1793123878.html) - The primary source contains all key facts: NEURC project approval, reward mechanism, role of aggregators, need for two contracts, public discussion, EU adaptation context, and reference to the September 15 decision.

## FAQ

### Do I need to change my electricity supplier to participate in the program?

No. According to NEURC, consumers do not need to change their current electricity supplier. It is sufficient to conclude two additional contracts that fix participation in the flexible demand program and the reward calculation procedure.

### What are aggregators in the context of demand response?

Aggregators are special market participants who combine the capabilities of individual consumers to coordinate demand response. They handle interaction with dispatch centers and ensure the technical implementation of load shifting.

### When will the draft resolution enter into force?

The draft has not yet entered into force. It will be published on the official NEURC website to collect comments and hold an open discussion. After proposals are taken into account, the document will be finalized and sent for final approval.

### How is this related to dynamic pricing?

On September 15, 2026, NEURC approved a separate draft allowing consumers with smart meters to conclude contracts with dynamic electricity prices. The new flexible consumption reward mechanism logically continues this line, adding an element of direct financial motivation.