The project supports the National Energy and Utilities Regulatory Commission of Ukraine (NEURC) in strengthening both the wholesale and retail electricity and gas markets of the country through improved market transparency and consumer empowerment. The monitoring and reporting systems for electricity and gas markets operation will be improved ensuring better functioning and effective competition for both wholesale and retail markets. The project also supports the development of strong retail electricity and gas markets that benefit consumers, strengthen consumer rights, and address energy poverty issues. Communication activities will also be undertaken to promote consumer empowerment and protection of energy consumers’ rights.

The overall objective of the project is to assist the Ukrainian public authorities to reform the electricity and gas markets in line with the provisions of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement to the benefit of consumers. The purpose of the project is to provide support to NEURC in the following:
• Improving the functioning, transparency and competition of the wholesale electricity and gas markets
• Developing electricity and gas retail markets that benefit consumers, including through strengthening consumer rights

Improved markets functioning and effective competition: Improved monitoring procedures for retail electricity and gas markets as well as reporting procedures for the wholesale electricity and gas markets (according to REMIT requirements). Effective unbundling of distribution companies. Increased liquidity in the electricity wholesale market.
Consumer protection and empowerment – strengthen role of NEURC in consumer rights protection, provide households with market tools, assess energy poverty related issues, recommendations to protect vulnerable customers, draft legislation for consumer protections, and improve public service obligations in the electricity sector.
Information, training and dissemination – training and study tours for NEURC, improved feedback channels for NEURC, introduction of the English version of the NEURC website and main legislation acts, communication activities to promote the project and energy consumer empowerment.