Big Network Renovation: investments in the Kyiv region power grids increased 112% thanks to RAB tariffs

Thermal power generation13 September 2021

Thanks to the RAB tariffs, which are effective in the Ukraine’s energy industry in 2021, DTEK Kyiv Regional Grids was in the position to increase investments in network development. In 2021, the company is investing 112% more in network renovation compared to 2020. UAH 725 million are earmarked to construct substations and power transmission lines, implement a repair program, replace outdated electricity meters for the company's customers, etc. Vitalii Shaida, Director General of DTEK Kyiv Regional Grids, announced this during the electricity forum ‘Hot Autumn: How to Make Tariffs Economically Justified for Distribution System Operators and Universal Service Providers in Ukraine?’ organized by the Energy Club on September 8.

Big Network Renovation: investments in the Kyiv region power grids increased 112% thanks to RAB tariffs

“We are learning the best European experience in transforming outdated power grids into innovative digital systems and implementing it in Ukraine. We are confident that modern and reliable networks are the basis for the country's development. The key projects that we plan to complete by the end of the year are the reconstruction of the Gostomel substation in the Buchansky district and the construction of the Kozin substation in the Obukhov region. We will also install 160 reclosers throughout the Kyiv region, which will automatically restore power to customers in the event of minor accidents,” says Vitaly Shaida.

The General Director of DTEK Kyiv Regional Grids explained that investments in the electric grids are essential to ensure that uninterrupted and high-quality power supply, as well as reduce the average duration of power cuts. While in 2020 each customer of DTEK Kyiv Regional Grids spent an average of 655 minutes without electricity, then in 2021 this indicator should be reduced to 510 minutes according to the plan. In 13 years, subject to the RAB-tariffs that stimulate investments, the duration of power cuts will be halved in the Kyiv region, and will be close to the European level.

“The power grid infrastructure is essential for both the social and economic growth of our country. This requires major investments, the instrument of which today is RAB-tariffs for the Distribution System Operators,” says Vitalii Shaida, General Director at DTEK Kyiv Regional Grids.

DTEK strives to become the benchmark for customer focus and implements high-level service standards. In 2018, only 20% of services were available online, now they are 60% of them. In particular, the customers of DTEK Kyiv Regional Grids can remotely submit documents for connection to the networks, conclude an agreement to change the owner, book an electrician’s visit to service the electricity meter, report the electricity meter readings, and much more.

Online services of DTEK Kyiv Regional Grids are available through the Telegram or Viber chatbots, the Merezhi Online mobile application (available in the AppStore and Google Play Market), the company's website, as well as a call center IVR.

It should be highlighted that under the Big Network Renovation project, the company is modernizing the regional energy infrastructure taking into account the needs of its residents. In addition to the reconstruction of the 110/10 10 kV Gostomel substation and the construction of the 110/35/10 kV Kozin substation, the company began construction of the 110/10 10 kV Sofievka substation. It will become a reliable source of power supply for residents of the actively developing Kyiv western suburb. The plan is to complete the construction in 2022.

As we mentioned previously, DTEK Kyiv Regional Grids offers remote services for sending meter readings for the customer convenience.