First episode of Rotterdam+ case sent to court – NABU

KYIV. March 16 (Interfax-Ukraine) – The National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) have filed the first episode of the Rotterdam+ case with six people accused of causing losses of UAH 19 billion to electricity consumers during 2016-2017, NABU has reported.

According to the report from NABU on its Telegram channel on Wednesday, investigators said that the so-called “Rotterdam +” formula, approved in 2016 by the National Energy and Utilities Regulatory Commission of Ukraine (NEURC) for calculating the wholesale market price for electricity, included expenses that did not exist, and namely, for the transportation of coal to Ukraine from the port in Rotterdam.

“As a result of using this calculation method during 2016-2017, end consumers overpaid more than UAH 19 billion, which is confirmed by the conclusions of the examinations,” NABU said.

According to the bureau, the damage caused due to the application of the formula in 2018-2019 was investigated in a separate proceeding, the materials of which are open to the defense for review.

NABU believes that NEURC was persuaded to approve such a formula for calculating the cost of electricity by representatives of a group of private heat-generating companies, which eventually received excess profits.

“At first, the regulator did not agree, realizing the absurdity of including transportation costs in the tariff, but in March 2016 this proposal was supported. As a result, there was an increase in electricity tariffs for industry, social infrastructure facilities, and entrepreneurs, which led to an increase in the cost of goods and services to the end consumer, including the essential services,” NABU said.

In turn, the press service of DTEK recalled that the High Anti-Corruption Court of Ukraine in September 2021 confirmed the lawfulness and validity of closing the so-called Rotterdam + case.

“This decision was confirmed by the court of appeal and entered into force. DTEK has not the slightest reason to doubt the objectivity and fairness of this court’s decision. All procedural deadlines for this criminal proceeding have long expired. The court’s decision confirmed these facts. The lawfulness of the actions of NABU and SAPO sending the case to court raises reasonable doubts,” the company said in a statement.

“DTEK will make every effort to protect the honor and reputation of the company and its employees. DTEK has always and consistently supported the implementation of transparent European pricing rules for natural gas, coal, and electricity in Ukraine,” the press service said.