THE CURRENT STATE OF THE FUEL AND ENERGY COMPLEX OF UKRAINE

Abstract

The article analyzes the current state of the fuel and energy complex of Ukraine. The basis of which is the united energy system of Ukraine (UES of Ukraine) - a set of nuclear, thermal, hydraulic and hydroaccumulative power plants, thermal power plants, as well as power plants from renewable energy sources (wind, solar and other), main power transmission lines of Ukrenergo and distribution grids (“Oblenergo” (regional power distribution company), which are united by a common mode of production, transmission and distribution of electric and thermal energy. Central supervisory control of UES of Ukraine is carried out by Ukrenergo. Communication with the power systems of other countries is done through interstate transmission lines. It is shown that electric energy is a special commodity characterized by a number of specific characteristics, which has all the elements of a market economy, where the market includes the areas of production, distribution and consumption, as well as competition between its participants. It is emphasized that in Ukraine since 1990 the model of the wholesale electricity market has been based on the experience of the United Kingdom and Wales. The foundation of this model is the preservation of a united energy system (UES) of the country and its centralized management. An essential feature of the UES of Ukraine is that it operates in unified mode with the electricity grids of the Republic of Belarus, Moldova, and the Russian Federation. This creates serious obstacles to the entry of Ukraine into the continental Europe grid (ENTSO-E). It is noted that since 1996 the wholesale electricity market is operating on the principle of "single buyer" (pool). The basis of this model is that generating companies produce electricity and sell it to SE "Energorynok", which immediately sells it to Oblenergo and independent suppliers. They, in their turn, sell electricity between large and small consumers as well as households. The key problems of the electric power industry of Ukraine are considered separately.