Closer to the needs of a customer: TOP-5 changes at DTEK Kyiv Region Grids in 2020
In 2020, DTEK was renamed from Kyivoblenergo, PJSC to DTEK Kyiv Region Grids, PJSC. With the new name, the distribution system operator continued its transformation into a modern, European service company. During the last year, the company built 128 transformer substations for its customers, upgraded the fleet of specialized equipment to be in a position to quickly eliminate accidents and fulfill requests. DTEK also introduced convenient services that customers can get remotely through the company's renewed website and through applications in a smartphone. They took care of birds and built 41 nesting platforms for storks across the region.
DTEK is redesigning traditional power generation making it more efficient. In 2020, Kyiv Region Grids installed 34 reclosers and 128 unloading transformer substations across Kyiv Region. More than 2,000 high and low voltage substations, almost 5,000 kilometers of overhead and 685 units of low voltage cable lines have been renovated. To ensure the reliability of power supply to the customers of Irpen and Priirpenya, last year they began reconstruction of the Gostomel substation and the construction of the Kozin substation in the energy-deficient Obukhov District.
DTEK is a reliable and conscious company. The company also makes sure that customers wait as little time as possible for the accidents recovery. To this end, in 2020, DTEK Kyiv Region Grids renewed the fleet of specialized vehicles. We bought 17 modern Italian IVECO car lifts. Automatic control allows setting up and operating the car lift from a height in a minute. This affects the mobility of the crews: it is more convenient for workers to clear the lines from bushes and tree branches, to repair and maintain power lines faster - this reduces the number and duration of blackouts for customers. We also bought 21 brand-new Renault Dokker, Duster and Sandero STEPWAY cars, therefore the workers are in a position to quickly fulfill customer requests and do the routine line maintenance. All cars are more maneuverable, save at least half an hour time for fulfilling customer requests and quickly restoring power supply after accidents, and also consume less fuel and therefore less pollute the atmosphere with CO2 emissions.
In addition to technical upgrades, DTEK is changing the standards of customer service and developing high-level services. In 2020, DTEK Kyiv Region Grids updated the company's website for its customers, the convenient functionality of which provides for the opportunity to receive 50% of services online. This is important in the context of lockdown in the country. Through the website, customers can find the necessary information about the company and services, remotely submit meter readings, apply for connection to networks and track the status of its implementation, and receive complete technical conditions by mail. In addition, through the website, you can schedule the technician’s visit to service the electricity meter. Moreover, if in 2019 this service was available only for customers of the northern region – Buchansky and Vyshgorodsky Districts* of Kyiv Region - during 2020 the company made this service available to residents of all districts of the region.
DTEK understands the needs of today’s customers and serves their interests. Therefore, in the summer of 2020, DTEK Kyiv Region Grids launched the Merezhi Online (Grids Online) mobile application for household customers in Kyiv Region. This service allows smartphone users to submit electricity meter readings quickly, find out about planned and emergency outages, request maintenance of metering devices and report about defects found on electrical installations to the company in Kyiv Region. The application is available in AppStore and Google Play Market.
DTEK is a conscious business. Supporting the company's global policy on sustainable development, DTEK Kyiv Region Grids cares about preserving the biodiversity of living creatures, including birds. In 2020, the company's specialists installed 41 nest platforms for storks across Kyiv Region in the form of strong baskets made of metal rods and about 700 special protective devices - bird protectors that prevent storks from landing and nesting at power facilities. These measures protected birds from electric shock, and customers from blackouts.
All these measures and improvements bring DTEK Kyiv Region Grids closer to the main goal - to create a reliable energy infrastructure and European-type service for customers, acting in the interests of Ukraine and in accordance with the environmental policy that the company systematically implements in its activities.
* a new administrative and territorial structure of Ukraine at the regional and basic levels was approved by the government of Ukraine in June 2020, and endorsed by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine resolution in July 2020.