"For two years, the Ukrainian energy system has been under targeted attacks from Russian missiles and drones. Despite dozens of massive strikes and hundreds of smaller attacks, we still have electricity. However, a problem may arise from an unexpected source – debts," noted Prokip.
According to him, the energy market could be paralyzed due to accumulated debts and a flood of claims between companies demanding debt repayments and the seizure of accounts by the enforcement service.
"The regulator, government, and parliament must urgently take action to prevent a debt paralysis of the market," the expert added.
He pointed out that some energy companies suffering from debts are natural monopolies.
"These companies simply do not have the funds to make such payments. One reason for the problem is that the National Commission for State Regulation of Energy and Utilities (NERC) approved a lowered tariff for these companies, particularly 'Ukrenergo'," explained Prokip.
The expert emphasized that without changing the funding approaches for 'Ukrenergo', the problem will not go away.