Energy minister expects Ukrenergo to undergo effective reboot following appointment of Zaichenko as CEO

Energy Minister Herman Haluschenko has introduced Vitaliy Zaichenko, the newly appointed CEO of NPC Ukrenergo, to the company's staff, expressing confidence in a successful reboot of the company, its future development, and effective cooperation with international partners.

"Ukrenergo is a strategic enterprise vital to the entire country. The company's leadership and staff face major challenges, especially in preparing for the upcoming winter under martial law... I am confident that Ukrenergo is in for a productive reboot, further development, and strong collaboration with international partners!" Haluschenko wrote on Facebook on Monday.

He noted that Zaichenko's candidacy was unanimously approved by all seven members of the Supervisory Board.

According to the minister, Zaichenko began his career at Ukrenergo back in the 1990s, rising from engineer to top management. He brings deep system-level knowledge and extensive experience in the energy sector, notably under the difficult conditions of operating Ukraine's Unified Energy System in isolation during the initial weeks of Russia's full-scale invasion.

As previously reported by Verkhovna Rada Energy Committee Chair Andriy Gerus, Ukrenergo's Supervisory Board elected Zaichenko – formerly the company's chief dispatcher and a board member – as its new CEO.

Zaichenko was one of three shortlisted candidates in the competition announced on February 5, 2025. The shortlist also included acting CEO Oleksiy Brekht and another company executive, Ivan Yuriyk, responsible for eurobond-related matters. According to Energy Reform sources, Brekht will remain on the management board.

On June 13, the Ministry of Energy, as the company's sole shareholder, amended Ukrenergo's charter. The changes allow for up to three attempts to appoint a CEO: the first two requiring a qualified majority (at least five out of seven Supervisory Board votes, with four members being independent), and the third requiring only a simple majority. If the third vote fails, the Board must announce a new competition within 90 calendar days of that decision.