Consumers of Zakarpattia and Rivne regions will receive gas from Gazmerezhi from the beginning of the year

NEURC adopted a resolution according to which, from January 1, 2024, the national operator Gas Distribution Networks of Ukraine (Gazmerezhi) from the Naftogaz Group received the right to carry out economic activities in the distribution of natural gas in Zakarpattia and Rivne regions. The press service of the Ministry of Energy reported this.

According to the ministry, gas supply services to customers in the two western regions will be provided by newly created branches of the national operator. Previously, such services in these areas were provided by private companies, particularly Rivnegaz JSC and Zakarpatgaz JSC.

One may remember, in November 2022, when the Government, on the proposal of the Minister of Energy Herman Galushchenko, decided on the renegotiation of contracts for the operation of state-owned gas distribution networks, which launched the process of returning state property to state control.

"The return of gas distribution networks to the control of the state is a matter of national security, especially considering all the risks and military challenges. It is also very important to ensure the continuity of gas supply and create new opportunities for the development of gas infrastructure. This is the position and task for the responsible national operator of gas distribution networks," said the Minister of Energy of Ukraine Herman Galushchenko.

In Zakarpattia and Rivne regions, branches of the national operator will provide natural gas to about 553,000 customers. After changing the operator, personal bills and gas distribution tariffs will remain unchanged, and payment details will be updated.

As a reminder, since the beginning of 2023, 27 gas distribution companies have already come under the control of Naftogaz.