Expert: there may be an electricity deficit in summer, two negative factors will coincide in time.

Ukraine is preparing for a summer energy crisis

The director of energy programs at the Razumkov Centre, Volodymyr Omelchenko, has called for a review of the existing price caps to avoid an energy crisis in the summer. He believes that the model of price ceilings creates obstacles for electricity imports during peak hours of the day. It is already noticeable in practice how such restrictions affect import supplies, particularly in the evening hours when demand is the highest.

The current price constraints hinder import supplies in the evening hours (5:00 PM - 11:00 PM) - precisely when they are most needed. This is already happening in May - even before the hot season begins

Omelchenko warns that without changes to the price caps, an electricity deficit may arise due to a collision between increased demand and planned repairs of nuclear power plants. The expert also emphasizes the importance of injecting gas into underground gas storage for ensuring energy stability.

If the level of price caps remains unchanged, it may lead to an uncovered capacity deficit this summer

Omelchenko also expressed doubts about the justification of low prices in the EU, which, according to the National Energy and Utilities Regulatory Commission (NEURC), should be observed during the summer period. He questions why Ukrainian consumers are concerned about price changes if they are indeed so low in Europe.

If electricity prices in the EU are low, industrialists can purchase them there. An increase in price ceilings in Ukraine should not be a problem in this case

The energy company of Ukraine states that abolishing price caps is key to synchronizing the Ukrainian energy market with the European one.

Ukraine has plans and strategies to avoid an energy crisis in the summer, which may arise from an electricity deficit. Incorrect pricing policy and insufficient resources can lead to serious problems in the energy sector, so it is important to take timely measures to ensure the sustainability and security of energy supply.