You're reading: Rada energy committee approves Naftogaz unbundling bill

The committee of the Verkhovna Rada for energy and utilities has approved bill No. 2239-1 amending some legislative acts in relation to unbundling activities for the transportation of natural gas, Head of Mahistralni Gazoprovody Ukrainy (MGU) Oleksandr Lisnichenko has said.

“The Verkhovna Rada committee on energy and housing and utilities backed bill No. 2239-1 with 10 supporting votes (with 15 present),” he wrote on his Facebook page on Oct. 17.

Lisnichenko said that the bill mainly provides for the preservation of the gas transmission system (GTS) in full state ownership.

“The GTS will be managed transparently, according to an understandable corporate design, which will create independent conditions for the TSO of Ukraine [Gas Transmission System Operator] and at the same time maintain control over the valuable asset in the state,” he wrote, adding that this decision will further advance on the way of certification of the TSO of Ukraine.

As Chairman of Executive Board of Naftogaz Ukrainy Andriy Kobolev said, in turn, the Energy Community Secretariat has already confirmed the compliance of this bill, necessary for the timely completion of the unbundling, with the requirements of the Third Energy Package and recommended the document for early adoption by the Verkhovna Rada.

Kobolev also added that according to the bill, the National Commission for Energy and Housing Utilities Regulation will receive expanded powers to monitor and control the independent TSO.

According to Kobolev, after the adoption of the bill by parliament, Ukraine will be able to effectively complete the process of unbundling of activities for the transportation of natural gas and strengthen its position in the negotiations on transit.

According to data on the parliamentary website, bill No. 2239-1 was registered on Oct. 17.