The supply of electricity to consumers is carried out by electricity suppliers who have received the appropriate license, under an electricity supply contract with the consumer.
An electricity supply contract is concluded between an electricity supplier and a consumer and provides for the supply of the entire volume of actual electricity consumption by the consumer in a certain period of time by one electricity supplier. Electricity supply to consumers is carried out at free prices.
In the event that an electricity supplier is assigned obligations to provide universal services or perform the functions of a supplier of "last resort", prices (tariffs) for the services of the universal service provider or supplier of "last resort" are determined in accordance with the Law of Ukraine "On the Electricity Market".
Imposing obligations to provide universal services and/or supply of "last resort" does not limit the right of the electricity supplier to supply electricity at free prices.
To ensure the supply of electricity to consumers, electricity suppliers purchase and sell electricity under bilateral contracts and/or on the day-ahead market, intraday market and balancing market, as well as through import.
The supply of electricity by electricity suppliers is carried out in compliance with the rules of the retail market.
The terms of electricity supply, the rights and obligations of the electricity supplier and the consumer are determined by the electricity supply contract to the consumer.
The contract for the supply of electricity to the consumer specifies:
1) name and location of the electricity supplier;
2) a list of services provided by the electricity supplier;
3) the price of electricity and services provided;
4) indicators of the quality of electricity supply, in particular the quality of electrical energy;
5) types of maintenance services offered by the electricity supplier;
6) conditions and procedure for reimbursement (compensation) applied in the event of non-compliance by the electricity supplier with the service quality indicators specified in the contract, in particular in the event of incorrect billing and/or untimely billing;
7) the procedure and means of communicating current information regarding current tariffs, the cost of technical maintenance services, expected price changes and conditions for the supply of electricity;
8) the procedure for organizing commercial metering of electricity and providing commercial metering data of electricity;
9) the procedure for submitting applications, claims, complaints by the consumer and the procedure for their consideration by the electricity supplier, methods of initiating dispute resolution procedures;
10) the term of the contract, the conditions for termination, extension and termination of the contract, in particular unilaterally by the consumer in the event of a change of electricity supplier, as well as the conditions for early termination of the contract, indicating the presence or absence of a sanction (fine) for early termination of the contract;
11) the obligation of the electricity supplier to provide the consumer with information on the protection of consumer rights, in particular in settlement documents (bills);
12) rights and obligations of the electricity supplier and consumer in the event of inability to fulfill their obligations and in the event of temporary suspension of supply;
13) other provisions depending on the specifics and type of services provided by the electricity supplier.
Before concluding an electricity supply contract with a consumer, the electricity supplier must provide the consumer with information about the essential terms of the contract and the available choice of procedures and forms of invoicing and settlement.
The general terms and conditions of the contract must be fair and transparent, set out clearly and unambiguously, and must not contain procedural obstacles that make it difficult to exercise consumer rights.
No provision of the electricity supply contract to a consumer shall restrict the consumer's right to change electricity supplier. In addition, the contract may not contain provisions that impose additional financial obligations on the consumer who exercises the said right. Otherwise, such provision shall be deemed invalid from the moment of conclusion of the contract.
The regulator approves a standard contract for the supply of electricity to a consumer, a standard contract for the supply of electricity to a consumer under the conditions of universal service, and a standard contract for the supply of electricity to a consumer by a supplier of "last resort.".