KIEV, June 8 – The Energy Efficiency Fund, aimed at reducing natural gas consumption and lower households spending on housing and utilities will start work in Ukraine in January 2017, Regional Development, Construction, Housing and Utilities Hennadiy Zubko Minister said.

"The launch of the Fund is a national strategy to protect, support our citizens as part of energy efficiency policy, [it's] a step towards the country's energy independence. Our plans are to launch the Fund as early as in January 2017. These are ambitious plans, as legislation should be taken by that time with subsequent budget allocations. A government resolution on the creation of the Fund, a draft law on the Energy Efficiency Fund, and other legal acts are expected to be adopted," he said at a National Reforms meeting in Kiev on Tuesday.