Fines for ignoring dispatchers' orders could jeopardize the operation of housing and utility services
Critical infrastructure operators oppose the reinstatement of fines for failure to comply with dispatchers’ orders. In their view, the introduction of such sanctions could negatively impact the operations of housing and utilities companies.
Industry representatives warn that the new fines could create additional risks to the stable operation of these enterprises and jeopardize the uninterrupted supply of heat and water to consumers.
What Is Known About the NEURC Fines
The Association of Critical Infrastructure Operators (ACIO) has called on the NEURC not to rush into a decision regarding the reinstatement of fines for electricity producers.
“The AOKI urges the NEURC not to rush into a decision on July 28, to first hold a working meeting with market participants, conduct test calculations without actually deducting funds, and only after resolving all issues return to the matter of financial liability,” Dushchenko wrote.
According to him, this concerns the reinstatement of the so-called “non-compliance fee”—essentially penalty charges imposed when a power plant, cogeneration facility, or energy storage system fails to comply with a dispatcher’s order to the required extent.
Is there a threat to critical infrastructure?
A representative of the Association of Utility Companies of Ukraine (AOKI) emphasized that water utilities, district heating companies, and other critical infrastructure operators use their own power generation primarily to ensure that people have access to water, heat, and other vital services.
“In the event of an accident, a power shortage, or a sudden change in load, such generation must first and foremost maintain the operation of the facility itself. Because of this, a dispatcher’s specific command may not be fully executed—not out of negligence, but to avoid leaving the population without water or heat,” added Dushenko.
In addition, he noted that it has not yet been properly regulated how commands are transmitted and recorded, what data is used for calculations, how emergency outages and power quality degradation are accounted for, and how a utility can appeal an erroneous charge.
“The main principle is simple: market sanctions must not threaten the uninterrupted supply of water, heat, and other vital services to the public,” Dushenko concluded.
This was reported with reference to a Facebook post by Oleksandr Dushenko, director of the municipal utility “Teplovik” and a representative of the Association of Critical Infrastructure Operators.
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