SPECIFICS OF CONDUCTING FORENSIC ECONOMIC EXPERTISE OF ELECTRICITY MARKET OPERATIONS IN UKRAINE

Abstract

The article examines the specific features of forensic economic examination of transactions in the electricity market of Ukraine under the conditions of a multi-level market model. The relevance of the study is determined by the complexity of economic relations in the energy sector, the existence of different market segments, and the specific regulatory framework, which complicates the process of expert examination of business operations. The purpose of the article is to determine the peculiarities of forensic economic examination of electricity market transactions, taking into account the market structure, regulatory framework, and specifics of documentary support, as well as to develop approaches for their analysis in expert practice. The research is based on the methods of analysis, synthesis, comparison, and generalization of regulatory acts, scientific sources, and practical materials. The legal framework governing the electricity market was analyzed, including the provisions of the Law of Ukraine “On the Electricity Market” and subordinate regulations of the national regulator (NERC), which define tariff formation and reporting requirements for market participants. It has been established that the structure of the electricity market, including bilateral contracts, the day-ahead market, the intraday market, and the balancing market, requires a differentiated approach to forensic economic examination. It is substantiated that the balancing market is the most complex segment for expert analysis, and imbalance settlement operations should be considered as a component of the mechanism for covering technological losses of electricity. The study identifies that the key sources of information for forensic examination are reports on the physical balance of electricity (Form 1), Form No. 9-NERC (monitoring-distribution), Form No. 2-NERC, as well as primary documents and accounting data. It is proven that only their comprehensive analysis ensures the objectivity of expert conclusions. The scientific novelty lies in the development of a comprehensive approach to forensic economic examination of electricity market transactions and in substantiating the role of the balancing market as an element of the formation of technological losses.