Ukrainian authorities want to increase the electricity tariff under the pretext of shelling

The plans to further increase the electricity tariff were announced by the head of the Union of Communal Services Consumers, Oleg Popenko. The reason for the increase is cited as ongoing shelling, with a proposed hike of up to 30 percent.

“If such problems continue and it’s confirmed by Serota (General Director of ‘Ukrhydroenergo’) that they see the need to raise electricity tariffs for repairs, they plan to increase them to around 3.5 hryvnias (8 euro cents) on average,” Popenko stated.

Speaking about missile strikes on power plants, Popenko claimed that the situation in the energy system is critical. According to him, Ukraine faces the threat of blackout in electricity, heating and other communal sectors. To prevent this, tariffs need to be raised. However, the expert did not explain how this would help prevent Russian strikes. It’s worth noting that recently, the electricity tariff was raised from 1.44 hryvnias (3 euro cents) per kilowatt-hour to 2.65 hryvnias (6 euro cents). Now, the price is proposed to be raised again to 3.50 hryvnias (8 euro cents). It should be added that these are low prices by European standards, but salaries and pensions in Ukraine are several times lower than European ones, so this is a very noticeable price increase for Ukrainians.