DTEK Kyiv Grids will upgrade power lines supplying electricity to the houses of Kyiv residents

Thermal power generation22 June 2020

Being a socially-responsible business, DTEK cares about its customers and implements investment programs to ensure that each customer can enjoy light at their homes. This is why DTEK Kyiv Grids will implement 34 projects to upgrade medium and low voltage power lines throughout 2020. Thanks to these efforts, the capital’ power supplying company will improve the reliability of power lines and equipment directly engaged in supplying electricity to the citizens of Kyiv.

The company expects to renovate more than 30 km of 10 kV and 0.4 kV power lines by the end of this year. 25 medium- and low-voltage distribution points and transformer substations will be reconstructed. There facilities are already being equipped with modern self-supporting insulated (SIP) wires and cross-linked polyethylene electric cables, vacuum circuit breakers, transformers, distribution cells and panels, power switchers, automatic equipment, etc.

‘This year, we will focus on improving reliability of 0.4 kV and 10 kV power lines that are directly responsible for bringing electricity to the housed of the Kyiv residents. To attain this goal, we will have invested more than UAH 150 million in their upgrade by the end of 2020. By implementing these programs we will bring the reliability of electricity supply to an entirely new level of quality that can be enjoyed by the residents of Obolon, Pushcha Vodytsia, Solomianka, Osokorky, Podil, Troieshchyna, Kurenivka, Holosiivo, and other districts of the capital,’ noted DTEK Kyiv Grids CEO Maris Kunickis.

The need for reconstruction of this equipment was caused, first of all, by the expiry of its service life and obsolesce. The company has technological expertise required to upgrade municipal power grids in a short time frame but is restricted by limited investment programs approved by NEPURC as a state regulator.

For instance, the 10 kV Solomianska Substation — Distribution Point 48 cable line, which is currently undergoing reconstruction, was commissioned back in 1955. Having the total length of 2.14 km, it features 61 cable joints, i.e. 3 cable joints per each 100 meters. This is a demonstration of extremely poor technical condition of this cable line. In general, the degree of wear of cable lines in Kyiv exceeds 70%.

The situation with transformer substations and distribution points is almost identical. Equipment that was commissioned in the 60s and 70s of the last century and fails to meet the modern needs and demands nonetheless remains in operation.

So far, construction contracts covering the entire scope of reconstruction work planned for this year have already been put in place. The company has purchased modern equipment and materials. We have obtained all construction permits and have already started preparation and construction works.

To recap, in February 2020, DTEK Kyiv Grids presented The Capital Power Grid Development Plan until 2024. In particular, it envisages the construction of 4 new large 110 kV substations, 51 km of 110–35 kV power lines, and the reconstruction of 1,753 km or power lines and 231 power facilities in the capital by the end of 2024.