DTEK Dnipro Grids to earmark UAH 1 billion to upgrade the energy infrastructure

Thermal power generation18 February 2021

DTEK Dnipro Grids plans to allocate more than UAH 1 billion for the development of the energy infrastructure in the region in 2021. The company will use these funds to reconstruct substations, distribution points, cable and overhead lines. The main aim is to improve the quality and reliability of power supply to customers in residential buildings, enterprises and institutions. Another goal is to keep developing the smart grid system and introduce the advance customer service.

The volume of the DTEK Dnipro Grids investment program for 2021 got bigger by 27% compared to 2020 owing to the incentive tariff setting introduced starting January 1, 2021. Now, the state regulator NEURC uses a new, more efficient method to set a tariff for electricity distribution, which makes it possible to increase the financing volume to develop the power grids.

“DTEK makes a significant contribution to the transformation of the energy sector. This year, the company is investing over UAH 1 billion in the development of Dnipro energy networks. We plan to reconstruct 2 substations of 150 and 35 kV in Dnipro and Manganets, two high-voltage lines of 150 kV with a length of more than 8 km, which supply the central part of Dnipro and the Apostolovsky District. We will also implement 14 projects to upgrade high-voltage equipment, which will increase the reliability of power supply and the efficiency of emergency response,” - says Andreii Tereshchiuk, DTEK Dnipro Grids CEO.

Investments will be allocated to improve the quality of power supply to customers in tune with the planned indicators determined by NEURC: reducing electricity losses in power grids and improving the SAIDI indicator (power outage time). In particular, investments will be earmarked to a project, which would make it possible to do the maintenance without power outages for customers. A new training ground will be established to implement this project. Personal protective equipment, special machinery and equipment have been purchased, which will allow doing this work without disconnecting the lines and substations. In addition to the reconstruction of two large substations and high-voltage lines, there will be maintenance work done at 148 facilities, and reconstruction of 111 power lines of medium and low voltage with a length of 220 km.

In 2021, DTEK Dnipro Grids intends to follow up with automation and digitalization projects. The company will develop an automated dispatch control system that will allow monitoring the technical condition of electrical equipment in real time. The system will help to track and eliminate failures more quickly. Such automation and digitalization technologies will further transform the current infrastructure of electric grids into a Smart Grid that meets the needs of the modern economy and customers.

Moreover, the company plans to improve the customer experience. Thus, DTEK is upgrading the equipment and software of the contact centers. Modern remote channels and services are now available for our customers: an online portal, a chatbot, and such. This will make the interaction of customers with the company faster, easier and more convenient.