Tashlyk Pumped-Storage Hydroelectric Power Plant: 170 million overpayment through a controlled foreign firm, organizer detained — NABU and SAP
Despite delays and the contractor's bankruptcy, more than 70 additional agreements were signed with him, including one for UAH 305 million for the station control system
NABU and SAP reported the uncovering of a scheme to embezzle funds from the State Enterprise «NAEK «Energoatom» during the completion of the Tashlyk pumped-storage hydroelectric power plant in Mykolaiv region, where, through a controlled foreign company, the cost of equipment was artificially inflated by almost 170 million hryvnias, and the suspected organizer was detained under Art. 208 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine.
According to the investigation, among the suspects is the beneficial owner of a group of companies, who is considered the organizer of the scheme, as well as the former head of the department of the separate unit «Atomproektinzhyniring» of SE «NAEK «Energoatom».
Investigators established that a company controlled by the organizer performed work on the completion of the Tashlyk PSP, and despite missed deadlines and the enterprise’s bankruptcy proceedings, continued to sign additional agreements with the contractor, changing volumes, schedules and other terms of cooperation.
Such decisions, according to the detectives, were made possible thanks to the owner’s influence on Energoatom officials.
Law enforcement singled out one of the additional agreements under which equipment for the automated control system of the pumped‑storage hydroelectric power plant was purchased for more than 305 million hryvnias; the procurement was carried out through a controlled foreign firm which, according to NABU and SAP, allowed the price to be inflated by almost 170 million hryvnias.
In total, more than 70 additional agreements were signed as part of the project implementation.
The actions of those involved have been qualified under Part 5 of Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine — misappropriation of property by abuse of official position on an especially large scale; the scheme’s organizer was detained in accordance with Art. 208 of the Criminal Procedure Code, investigative actions continue and the full circle of participants is being established.
