First Buyers
Utility companies from Cherkasy and Zaporizhzhia became the pioneers in purchasing gas on the exchange:
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MU HE "Cherkasyteplokomunenergo" purchased 100,000 cubic meters of gas (May resource).
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Concern "City Heating Networks" (Zaporizhzhia) purchased 400,000 cubic meters of the May resource.
The purchase price for both enterprises was UAH 22,700 per 1,000 cubic meters (excluding VAT), which amounts to UAH 27,240 per 1,000 cubic meters (including VAT). The resource is scheduled for delivery between May 8 and May 18 via the virtual trading point (VTP) of the Ukrainian gas transmission system.
Regulatory Framework and Objectives
The entry of heat generation enterprises into the free market was made possible by a decision from the NEURC (National Energy and Utilities Regulatory Commission). The regulator adopted Resolution No. 561 on April 21, 2026, which amended the procedure for calculating fees for gas distribution services for heat and electricity producers under martial law.
Key aspects of the decision:
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Separate Accounting: The issue of separate accounting for gas consumption purchased at different prices has been resolved.
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Energy Security: Purchasing resources on the exchange allows enterprises to independently form necessary reserves for stable operations during the inter-heating period.
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Market Flexibility: District heating companies now have a tool to procure fuel on a competitive basis, enhancing the reliability of heat-generating capacities.
Previously, most enterprises in the district heating sector relied exclusively on supplies under Public Service Obligations (PSO). The transition to exchange trading marks a significant step toward the liberalization of Ukraine's energy market.
