President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Oct. 10 that he considers it “necessary” to have constructive dialogue with energy investors over anticipated changes in the so-called green tariff.
“Regarding the issue of the green tariff, I’m still dealing with it. There is a very difficult situation. There are contracts with many companies, we have signed contracts, and now all of a sudden we say: let’s change the tariff,” Zelensky told journalists during his marathon press conference in Kyiv.
“Therefore, I think that the problem will be solved… through communication with these companies that already have contracts. But we need to find normal tariffs that are market-based,” he said. “I think the government knows that we should not lose relations with companies, including foreign companies that already have contracts. I think they will solve this issue.”
The Parliamentary Committee on Energy, Housing and Utilities Services has been discussing a way to make energy tariffs fairer. Renewables account for 3.7 percent of Ukraine’s energy mix, but represent more than 8 percent of total energy costs.
A parliamentary working group to explore policy changes could be launched soon, and changes could include a reduction of the tariff, an introduction of new taxes, or other methods.
Read main story: A battle over ‘unaffordable’ renewable tariff is brewing
