KYIV, Sept 25 – Since the start of September, the level of electricity payments in Ukraine has declined 1.5 times compared to August, Fuel and Energy Minister Serhy Yermilov said, Ukrainian News reported.
“Since the start of September, cash settlements have fallen to 40-45 percent, although in the last week we succeeded in raising them to 60-65 percent, said Yermilov.
According to the Cabinet’s data, consumers paid up to 70 percent for electricity with cash funds in August.
According to Yermilov, consumers reduced electricity payments in September because they expected the government to authorize mutually offsetting settlements.
“(The reason) is consumers’ expectationы on the threshold of winter is that the government will make concessions on the principles written into the energy market and will authorize offsets and other forms (of payment),” said Yermilov.
In addition, the decline in the payment level is related to the end of the conclusion of futures contracts for electricity supplies. These payments were included in the volume of August payments.
Yermilov stressed that the Cabinet does not intend to deviate from its policy of cash-only payments for electricity.
“There will be no offsets, no concessions from the plan that the government began this year, and those that do not settle by October 1 will be disconnected from energy supplies,” he said.
According to the government’s estimate, the current level of electricity payment is not enough for the energy sector’s work in the winter period.
The volume of electricity sales in September should be over Hr 1 billion.
Earlier, the Fuel and Energy Ministry estimated the deficit of funds to ensure the energy sector’s work in the fourth quarter, including for fuel purchases, at Hr 1.5 billion.
In July, oblenergos paid 33.1 percent for the electricity sold to them in cash and for 25.3 percent in June.
According to the Cabinet of Ministers’ initial data, oblenergos paid Hr 5.582 billion, or 68 percent of the cost of the electricity sold to them, including Hr 1.327 billion, or 16.8 percent in cash.
