PRIORITIES OF OVERCOMING ENERGY POVERTY IN UKRAINE

Abstract

In the article it was analyzed the factors causing the occurrence of energy poverty among the Ukrainian population, it was examined the effectiveness of current state measures, which are aimed at overcoming it and was identified priority directions for reducing the level of energy poverty. It is noted that the liberalization of energy markets, the establishment of economically justified tariffs for all consumers, the reduction of domestic consumption of energy resources, at the same time with the sharp decline in the socio-economic welfare of the population, caused the inability of the population to meet their basic energy needs and significant increase in arrears for the payment of housing and communal services. The emphasis is on the need to implement the norms of the Third Energy Package of the European Union with the goal of overcoming energy poverty, where it has been identified, providing social welfare assistance or support for energy efficiency. In order to provide social security for vulnerable energy consumers, large increase in budget expenditures for targeted subsidies is due to the growth of the Ukrainian population below the poverty line, unemployment to the highest mark in recent years and a sharp rise in consumer prices. It has been established that in spite of certain achievements in reducing energy poverty, Ukraine only partially implements measures to improve energy efficiency of buildings and increasing the use of renewable energy sources. Additional tools for reducing energy poverty can be to guarantee consumers’ rights to change suppliers, receive information on tariffs and their comparison, and to provide recommendations to vulnerable consumers on the choice of supplier on favorable terms.