Multimillion-dollar thefts even during a full-scale war - the actions of the management of the joint-stock company Kharkovoblenergo JSC pose a direct threat to the energy sustainability of the front-line region and call into question the possibility of the appropriate use of international assistance.
Member of the supervisory board of the enterprise Ivan Gerasimovich stated this at a meeting of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Energy and Housing and Communal Services and handed over materials confirming the corrupt actions of management.
Minority investors became concerned about the state of affairs in the regional power companies and revealed facts of theft. Back in 2021, information regarding 22 episodes worth more than UAH 380 million was transmitted to the anti-corruption bureau, Gerasimovich said.
Only in May of this year, NABU opened criminal proceedings against the top management of oblenergos on 14 counts. As an example, a member of the supervisory board cites the purchase of concrete pillars - if other players on the market buy them for an average of 3 thousand UAH, then JSC Kharkovoblenergo buys them for 5 thousand.
“We want one thing - for the enterprise to work, for management to simply do their job and not steal. When there are such facts about leaders, can they govern, especially during war? NABU initiates cases, we raise issues with other members of the supervisory board, and with their participation we contact the Ministry of Energy. Long-term undisguised corruption requires appropriate measures,” says a member of the supervisory board.
The Committee considered the situation egregious and voiced its intention to influence the state regulator to conduct an internal audit.
Let us remind you that the state’s share in the enterprise is 65%, just under 30% since December 2020 belongs to the industrial and investment group Smart-Holding. Inflated purchase prices are not the only issue for the management of the energy company. Earlier, Schemes journalists noticed that the company “attributes” millions of kilowatts consumed to private consumers, but, on the contrary, underestimates them to legal consumers.
