«Mykolaivoblteploenergo» faces the freezing of its accounts due to a debt of nearly ₴800 million owed to «Naftogaz»

Mykola Lohvinov, Director of Mykolaivoblteploenergo, photo: NikVesti

The municipal enterprise Mykolaivoblteploenergo owes Naftogaz 800 million hryvnias. As a result, the Mykolaiv-based company, like other heat supply companies in Ukraine, may have its accounts frozen. Consequently, Oblteploenergo may be unable to take delivery of 15 cogeneration plants that donors are transferring to the city.

This was announced today, 25 March, at a briefing by the Mykolaivoblteploenergo municipal enterprise, according to NikVesti.

Mykola Lohvinov, director of Mykolaivoblteploenergo, noted that overall the company had managed the heating season quite effectively, despite the blackouts. However, the next heating season could be worse, as the war and shelling continue and it is unclear what to expect.

However, Mykola Lohvinov identified mutual debts between the state and the company as another problem for the next heating season and Obltelenergo’s electricity generation.

«Since 24 February 2022, the legislative tariff adjustment has been frozen. The state has undertaken to reimburse the difference in tariffs. As of 1 January 2026, the difference in tariffs amounts to 1 billion 279 million hryvnias. As of 1 January, the debt to Naftogaz is almost 800 million. In other words, they owe us 500 million more than we owe them,» explained the director of Mykolaivoblteploenergo.

He added that last week Naftogaz sent letters to all heat supply companies in Ukraine regarding the possible freezing of accounts and the suspension of gas supplies.

«This is a serious blow for us. Because the freezing of accounts means poor preparation for the heating season: it is impossible to purchase materials and fuel. The threat to gas supplies means that we will cease to generate electricity. In 2025–2026, we generated 18 million kWh, whilst our consumption was 10 million. In other words, we generate 55% more than we consume and feed a significant amount into the grid,» noted Mykola Lohvinov.

Briefing by Mykola Lohvinov, Director of Mykolaivoblteploenergo. Photo: NikVesti

If the company’s accounts are frozen, the installation of the cogeneration units that the city is due to receive from donors will also be at risk.

«UNOPS, as the administrator, conducted the tender. The World Bank provided a grant to the Ministry of Regional Development. Mykolaiv is due to receive 27.5 MW of cogeneration units by the end of this year. 15 units. It’s not just a matter of receiving them: they need to be designed and installed. And that’s no cheap undertaking,» explained the head of Mykolaivoblteploenergo.

It takes 6–9 months to build a cogeneration plant, provided funding is available. According to Mykola Lohvinov, the company has the necessary experience.

«If the accounts are frozen, the company will not be able to carry out the installation work on these units. Even if the city allocates these funds, they will go towards settling the debt owed to Naftogaz,» noted Mykola Lohvinov.

The head of Mykolaivoblteploenergo emphasised that the problem must be resolved now, without waiting for the next heating season. He described this as a nationwide issue and sees two possible solutions.

«There are no guilty or innocent parties here. We are all simply hostages to this situation, just like Naftogaz and the Cabinet of Ministers. The situation is the same for everyone. And there are two ways out of it. The first way is the simplest: to include the difference in tariffs in Ukraine’s state budget and compensate the companies for it. The second way is a legislative act stating that Naftogaz of Ukraine cannot register the accounts of enterprises where the tariff difference exceeds the gas debt. In other words, there is no money, no one is demanding this money, but give us the legal means to do so».

As a reminder, a solar power station is to be built in Mykolaiv for €7.2 million from NEFCO. The electricity generated is intended primarily for municipal utilities and the city’s critical infrastructure.

Mykola Lohvinov, Director of the municipal enterprise Mykolaivoblteploenergo, said that the city has already allocated a new 25-hectare site. Tender procedures are currently underway. The deadline for submitting bids is 7 April.