Ukraine’s Energy Governance at a Turning Point: Experts Set Out Priorities for Reform
Experts from Green Deal Ukraїna at Helmholtz Zentrum Berlin, the Kyiv Energy and Climate Lab (KECLab) at NaUKMA, the International Energy Agency (IEA), the Ukraine Facility Platform, and the German-Ukrainian Bureau (DUB) have developed a set of policy recommendations aimed at strengthening energy governance in Ukraine in the context of the country’s EU integration and post-war recovery.
Transparent, accountable, and effective governance is fundamental to Ukraine’s recovery, resilience, investments, social justice, and successful integration into the European Union. Strong public institutions, an independent regulator, a capable public administration, and effectively governed state-owned enterprises are essential not only for implementing reforms, but also for building lasting confidence among Ukrainian citizens, investors, and international partners.
The formation of a new Ukrainian government, together with renewed legislative activity in the Verkhovna Rada on key energy-sector reforms, creates an important window of opportunity to advance long-needed institutional changes. We believe that the debate around these reforms should be open, evidence-based, and inclusive, bringing together policymakers, civil society, sector experts, businesses, and international partners to ensure that proposed solutions are both ambitious and workable.
The recommendations developed by the partnership build on Ukraine’s existing reform and EU integration commitments, international good practices, several months of analytical work and numerous bilateral consultations with key Ukrainian and international stakeholders. The work was further informed by a closed-door expert discussion bringing together policymakers, experts and international partners on the sidelines of the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2026 in Gdańsk.
Three policy briefs address interconnected pillars of Ukraine’s energy governance:
1. Strengthening the Institutional and Human Capacity of the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine
The paper “How the Ministry of Energy could attract and retain talent” examines the structural challenges preventing Ukraine’s Ministry of Energy from attracting and retaining the talent needed to deliver energy reform, reconstruction and EU accession. It proposes practical measures to build a sustainable public-service talent pipeline, including more viable entry-level remuneration, merit-based recruitment, structured career and mobility pathways, stronger links between education and public service, and targeted EU support. At its core, the paper argues that Ukraine does not lack qualified talent, but rather a system capable of attracting, retaining and developing it within the public energy administration.
2. Improving Corporate Governance of State-Owned Energy Enterprises
The paper “Corporate Governance in the Energy Sector: quick fixes” examines systemic weaknesses in the governance of Ukraine’s state-owned energy enterprises, arguing that replacing individual supervisory board members cannot substitute for structural reform. It proposes a transparent and unified system for board appointments, independent recruitment procedures, competency-based board composition, stronger independent oversight, and the phase-out of wartime transitional rules. The paper also places corporate governance within the broader question of state ownership, calling for a clear ownership policy, transparent privatisation of non-strategic assets, and gradual reform of public service obligations to reduce opportunities for discretionary state interference.
3. Updated legislation and independence of the National Energy and Utilities Regulatory Commission (NEURC)
The paper “An Effective Framework for NEURC: Time for Action” sets out a practical roadmap for strengthening NEURC’s independence and effectiveness in line with Ukraine’s EU accession commitments, arguing that key reforms can and should move forward even under martial law. It identifies priority legislative changes to ensure transparent and merit-based selection of commissioners, protect the regulator from political interference, strengthen its financial and administrative autonomy, and improve transparency and accountability. Against the backdrop of the two draft laws currently under consideration, the paper outlines the safeguards that should be incorporated before final adoption and distinguishes between reforms that can be implemented immediately and those requiring future constitutional change.
The authors would like to thank all policymakers, experts, civil society representatives, businesses, and international partners who contributed their expertise, participated in interviews and consultations, and provided feedback throughout the preparation of the papers. The responsibility for the recommendations remains solely with them. The authors appreciate feedback via office@du-bureau.org.
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