The Energy Community assessed the draft law on the integration of the energy markets of Ukraine and the EU.

The draft law registered in the Rada on the integration of the energy markets of Ukraine and the EU is a positive step forward, and with its adoption, Ukraine will be able to complete the transposition of the European Integration Package in the field of electricity.

This was stated in an interview with Ukrinform by the director of the Energy Community Secretariat, Arthur Lorkowski.

"What we are now proposing for the electricity market is accelerated integration with the EU. It is no longer just about the issues of organizing the system in Ukraine or the independent functioning of the market, but about full integration of the Ukrainian market with the EU market. This is the next step forward. The draft law that was registered (it is the draft law "On Amendments to the Laws of Ukraine regarding the Integration of the Electricity Markets of Ukraine and the European Union" under No. 12087 - ed.) is a positive development, and we fully support it. We believe that, by adopting this law, Ukraine will be able to complete the transposition process associated with the integration package in the field of electricity," he said.

According to Lorkowski, currently, the relationships between the Energy Community and Ukraine in the field of electricity are focused on "market integration, effectively integrating Ukraine into the European electricity market as if it were an EU member state."

Through the Energy Community, the European Union offers Ukraine what can be described as accelerated integration into the EU's electricity market, "day-ahead" market, and intraday market, while treating Ukraine as a member state. The next steps depend on further progress in Ukraine, and the relevant legislation has already been submitted to the Verkhovna Rada. The draft law, registered in early October, is currently our main priority on the way to full integration with the EU energy market (it is the draft law "On Amendments to the Laws of Ukraine regarding the Integration of the Electricity Markets of Ukraine and the European Union" under No. 12087 - ed.)," noted the director of the Energy Community Secretariat.

Progress on gas market reform

At the same Time, Lorkowski pointed out that progress in reforming Ukraine's gas market is significantly less due to the war.

"There is a somewhat different situation in the gas market. Currently, the market is not functioning as it did before the war. In fact, it was largely suspended. Thus, the progress in reforming the gas market cannot be compared to the electricity market, which has experienced much greater development," he said.

According to the director of the Energy Community Secretariat, relevant recommendations for gas market reform are currently being discussed with Ukraine, taking into account the opportunities for biogas export.

"On the one hand, the current situation in the conditions of war is taken into account, and on the other hand, Ukraine's aspiration to join the European Union. In addition, we are considering opportunities for biogas export from Ukraine, which reflects the interest expressed by the Ukrainian side. Our goal is to find a path that gradually adapts Ukraine to the EU and Energy Community legislation, while creating space for investors who want to enter Ukraine's gas market, including the biogas sector," Lorkowski noted.