What the Energy Community spotted in Ukraine’s market in Q3 2026

What the Energy Community spotted in Ukraine’s market in Q3 2026: six key takeaways

The Energy Community Secretariat has published its quarterly report on Ukraine’s energy market for July–September 2026. Here are the highlights.

• NEURC Chairman. On 5 August, NEURC elected a new Chairman. He stepped down on 21 August, and the previous Chairman returned to the post. No reasons were given. Under the law, the same person may not serve as Chairman for two consecutive terms. The Secretariat believes this kind of “rotation” may be a way of getting around that ban and proposes amending the law.
• Connection fees for energy storage. NEURC changed the formula for connection fees, making connection more expensive for energy storage facilities (ESS) than for ordinary consumers or generators. After discussions at the Ministry of Energy, the Regulator made an exception: if an ESS starts operating before 1 January 2027, its fee is calculated under the old, cheaper formula (Resolution No. 1461 of 31.08.2026). The new Law No. 4963-IX has already set out a fairer approach: a facility pays only for the larger of its two capacities, withdrawal or injection, rather than for both. NEURC has yet to add this to the Methodology.
• Flexible connection. Facilities can now connect to the grid faster, without waiting for it to be reinforced. However, part of their capacity will be non-firm: if the grid is congested, that part will be curtailed automatically. The option is open to facilities of 1 MW and above, and the most recently connected are curtailed first. The drawback the Secretariat points out is that, for now, there is no way to know in advance how often or by how much you will be curtailed (Resolutions No. 1354 and No. 1355 of 11.08.2026).
• DSO tariffs. NEURC has set the tariff rules for distribution system operators for 2027–2031. The rate of return is 3% on old assets and 16.74% on new ones. In the Secretariat’s view, these figures are too low, as both the NBU key policy rate and government bond yields are higher. With such returns, DSOs will struggle to raise funds to rebuild their networks (Resolution No. 1462 of 31.08.2026).
• Renewable auctions. Demand for wind projects was almost double the quota: bids totalled 1,218 MW against a 700 MW quota, at prices from 2.98 to 7.59 euro cents per kWh. Solar plus storage drew bids almost four times the quota: 386 MW against 100 MW. Standalone solar, meanwhile, did not even fill its quota: 39 MW out of 50 MW.
• Gas exports. Exports of Ukrainian gas have been partially opened. A producer may sell abroad up to 15% of the volume it injected into the gas transmission system in the previous month. Sales are allowed only on an exchange, only to non-residents, and only from 1 March to 30 November (CMU Resolution No. 1251 of 07.10.2026).

In summary. If you are building a storage facility, aim to commission it before 1 January 2027 so that you pay less for connection. For traders: from 1 November, price caps stay the same (UAH 15,000/MWh on the DAM and IDM, UAH 17,000/MWh on the balancing market), but price floors have been removed. The Secretariat’s findings are not binding. However, the EU relies on them when assessing how Ukraine is meeting its commitments under the Ukraine Facility.

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