Prime Minister of Ukraine Arseniy Yatsenyuk has asked the Ministry of Regional Development, Construction, Housing and the Municipal Services to accelerate the implementation of energy efficiency projects and develop a tactical and strategic action plan for energy efficiency. The Head of Government said this at a board meeting of the Regional Development Ministry on Thursday, July 23.

"With losses of 40 to 80% in the networks we will never reduce bills of citizens. When we have 10,000 liters of water supply and 6,000 out of them just went into the ground, thus only four thousand have reached the consumer. A person paid not for four, but for 10 thousand. And some utilities and private energy companies do not pay attention to the amount of losses because they are covered by the tariff," he stressed.

The Prime Minister reminded that there are a number of international projects on upgrading of the system and international financial assistance. For example, today it has been signed the financing agreement with the European Investment Bank for a EUR400-million loan. In general, we have such funds in the amount of USD 2.7 billion.

At the same time, according to Vice Prime Minister - Minister of Regional Development, Construction, Housing and the Municipal Services Hennadii Zubko, local governments, municipal enterprises have used just USD140 million.

Arseniy Yatsenyuk addressed the Minister: "Your task is to force local governments and utility companies to take the money that we have found. Please repair water and wastewater systems, boilers, replace windows, insulate buildings. You have to invest this money - you have to get rid of losses (in networks – ed.). If you fail to do this, we won’t provide you with the tariff or we deprive you of your utility company due to its inefficiency. We cannot burden our citizens with complete inefficiency in the system of housing and communal services," he stressed.

"Acceleration of carrying out projects, rapid supply, use of money and real upgrading of housing and communal services. We have no time. Write down a tactical plan that we really can implement until winter, as well as a strategic plan," the Prime Minister pointed out, addressing Hennadii Zubko.

He also emphasized that in addition to energy efficiency the provision of subsidies is another response to an increase in rates: "We will not subsidize houses of a thousand of square meters. We will not subsidize the rich. And those who need help from the state, they will receive subsidies. A poor man will meet no changes. The state is to compensate everything connected with the growth of prices and tariffs."

At the same time, Arseniy Yatsenyuk recalled that the Government set the social norm at up to 200 cubic meters of gas per family at a price two times lower than the actual cost of gas, "Gas costs UAH 7200, while we are selling it at UAH 3600 and find a grant."

Arseniy Yatsenyuk addressed the heads of regional state administrations: "We have maximally simplified the system of granting subsidies. Settle the situation on the appointment of subsidies. We still have a positive trend, but I am very cautious in estimating. Therefore, I urge local authorities and regional and district state administrations to join the process of providing subsidies to Ukrainian citizens. Help those who need support of the Ukrainian state. We have money, deliver this money to every family."