The draft law cancels the so-called “frost” ratios. REUTERS

The Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine’s parliament, has passed in the first reading a bill on the transition to European standards for gas metering in energy units (kWh).

Relevant bill No. 2553 “On amending certain legislative acts of Ukraine regarding the introduction of metering and calculation on the natural gas market of gas volume in energy units,” was backed by 281 MPs with the required minimum of 226 votes, according to an UNIAN correspondent. Reporting on the bill, MP Andrii Zhupanyn said the document cancels the so-called “frost” ratios.

“Most importantly, we’re doing this for consumers. This bill cancels the so-called ‘frost’ ratios. You may have heard that 8.5 million consumers have been struggling with ‘frost’ ratios, i.e. from overpayments to gas suppliers. Consumers will finally start paying for gas quality, not for the volume that can be manipulated. Accordingly, the consumer will be able to compare the effectiveness of natural gas and electricity,” he said.

Zhupanyn also said the bill brings Ukraine closer to European standards. “We are bringing Ukraine closer to the standards of the Energy Community and fulfilling the requirements of the Ukraine-EU Association Agreement. The bill is a prerequisite for integrating the Ukrainian market into the EU gas market,” he added.

(C)UNIAN 2020