During an expert discussion on Ukraine's energy sector, Energoatom was identified as the main generator of financial flows. The company is state-owned and cannot be privatized under current laws, as nuclear power is not subject to privatization.
The widely held belief that electricity produced by Energoatom is the cheapest is challenged by experts. They argue this is a misleading notion, since Ukraine inherited its nuclear generation from the Soviet Union at no cost, without accounting for the true expenses of modern construction. Building a new nuclear power facility today would cost billions of dollars, and these costs must be included in electricity pricing.
Additionally, the cost of energy should include investments in infrastructure renewal, safety, and meeting international environmental standards. Nuclear power is not inherently cheap due to the enormous initial investments and stringent requirements that must be met.
A separate issue is the use of special state obligations, which, under political pressure, set lower electricity prices for the public regardless of income, often subsidizing wealthy citizens at state expense. The existence of dual pricing creates opportunities for abuse and inequitable resource distribution.
Despite the presence of supervisory boards and relevant legislation, political influence in the management of state monopolies persists. Experts note that while Energoatom's financial reports may show losses, there are substantial financial flows; profits are allocated to social obligations and other goals, not just business development.
