Ukraine Has Changed the Rules for Cutting Off Electricity Due to Unpaid Bills: Details

Ukraine has changed the rules for disconnecting electricity service for consumers with outstanding debts. Specifically, residential consumers are not required to pay the costs of disconnection and reconnection if, at the time the warning was issued, the amount of debt was less than half the subsistence minimum for able-bodied individuals.

The new rules were approved by the National Commission for State Regulation in the Spheres of Energy and Public Utilities.

Under the new rules, a consumer will not reimburse the system operator for the costs of disconnecting and subsequently restoring electricity service if, at the time the warning was issued, the amount of the debt was less than half the subsistence minimum for able-bodied individuals.

This rule will also apply in another situation. If, after the disconnection, the system operator verifies the consumption based on actual meter readings and determines that the debt was below the specified threshold at the time the electricity supply was cut off, the consumer will also not be required to pay for the related work.

No fee will be charged in the event of a power disconnection that violates the established procedure.

The NEURC has also established a uniform approach to calculating the cost of services related to power disconnections and reconnections.

Whenever possible, the system operator must choose the least complex method of performing the work, which requires minimal costs. At the same time, the cost of services may not exceed the maximum amount calculated in accordance with the established procedure.

In addition, system operators must publish on their official websites a list of disconnection and reconnection services and their costs.

After completing the disconnection work, the system operator must draw up a corresponding report.

The document must specify, in particular:

• the date and time of disconnection;
• the method used to perform the work;
• the EIC code of the distribution point;
• meter readings, if they can be recorded.

A copy of the report must be provided to the consumer. If the consumer was not present during the outage, the document must be sent within three business days.

The NEURC also clarified the deadlines for restoring power after the causes of the outage have been resolved and the necessary conditions have been met.

In cities, power must be restored within three business days, and in rural areas—within five business days.

The new rules take effect on the day following their publication on the NEURC website.

At the same time, the provisions regarding the new mechanism for determining the cost of disconnection and reconnection services will apply starting October 1, 2026.

This was reported by the NEURC.

On Saturday, September 26, Ukraine does not plan to impose electricity consumption restrictions. Ukrenergo advises using high-power electrical appliances during the day, when the load on the power grid is lower.