Heat suppliers warn of heating threat due to frozen funds and staff shortages

Financial constraints hinder winter preparations

Managers of heat and water supply enterprises expressed concern over the actions of the State Treasury, which has blocked over one billion hryvnias of industry funds. This situation arose after the government introduced a savings regime. This was discussed during the "Winter 2026–2027" round table, organised by relevant associations, including the Association of Cities of Ukraine headed by Vitali Klitschko.

According to industry representatives, the frozen funds critically hinder the implementation of key tasks: carrying out repair works, purchasing reserve fuel, and the timely payment of wages to employees. Pavlo Karas, Director of the "Cherkasyteplokomunenergo" enterprise, emphasised that among the blocked sums are the companies' own funds, which they received from consumers for services provided.

Risks to human resources and network stability

In addition to financial problems, heat suppliers drew attention to the staff shortage. They called on Prime Minister Serhiy Koretskyi not to reduce the staff exemption quota from the current 75% to 60%. According to their estimates, the staff deficit in the industry already reaches 30%.

Enterprise representatives warn that further loss of specialists may lead to an inability to carry out emergency repairs and ensure stable heat supply during the 2026–2027 heating season. Therefore, enterprises demand that the authorities unblock payments and maintain the current personnel exemption rules.