One of the regional centers settled almost a billion hryvnia gas debt before the heating season

The "Naftogaz" Group and the municipal enterprise "Teploenergo" of the Dnipro City Council have agreed to restructure about UAH 1 billion in debt for consumed natural gas. The enterprise will repay the debt over two years, and the funds received by "Naftogaz" are planned to be used, in particular, for the purchase of imported gas before winter.

The parties agreed on a debt settlement mechanism and repayment terms. According to the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Military Administration, almost UAH 1 billion will be paid by "Teploenergo" over 24 months.

The negotiations were attended by representatives of "Naftogaz", the Dnipro City Council, the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Military Administration, and the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development.

Funds are needed by "Naftogaz" to prepare for winter

"Naftogaz" noted that the repayment of the debt will give the company additional financial resources for purchasing the volumes of imported gas Ukraine needs ahead of the heating season.

Part of the funds is also planned to be directed to the restoration of the Group's facilities damaged or destroyed as a result of Russian attacks.

For "Teploenergo", the restructuring allows avoiding the need to simultaneously repay a significant debt and to focus resources on preparing the district heating infrastructure of Dnipro for winter.

The enterprise is one of the key heat suppliers in the city, so the agreement should ensure its stable operation during the heating season.

"Naftogaz" is ready to negotiate with other heat suppliers

Acting Chairman of the Board of "Naftogaz" Group Sergiy Fedorenko stated that the company is interested in systemic settlement of debts for consumed gas and is ready to negotiate with other heat supply enterprises.

According to him, the mechanism applied in Dnipro may become a practical solution for other companies and regions that have accumulated significant debt.

The problem of payments for gas by district heating utilities remains particularly sensitive ahead of the heating season. The presence of large debts simultaneously limits the financial capabilities of heat suppliers and reduces "Naftogaz's" resource for fuel imports and repairs of energy infrastructure.

The agreement in Dnipro was reached against the backdrop of new Russian strikes on the Group's facilities. In particular, on August 27, "Naftogaz" reported critical destruction of the Kherson Thermal Power Plant after a strike by four guided aerial bombs – all generating equipment remaining at the station was disabled.

Based on materials from: "Naftogaz" Group, Dnipropetrovsk Regional Military Administration