Energy workers of DTEK Odesa Grids helped restore electricity and water supply to the homes of Khersonians after enemy attacks

26 energy workers of the overvoltage protection and insulation center, relay protection maintenance center, substations repair and maintenance center, lines repair and maintenance center, and vehicles operation division went to restore Kherson’s electrical infrastructure, destroyed due to russian invaders’ shelling. The crews restored operation of 150 kV line, 2 35 kV lines and put into operation a high-voltage substation that was not operating since June 2023 due to the flooding, caused by the demolition of the Kakhovka HPP. 

“When our colleagues from Kherson asked for help, we did not hesitate for a second. We knew that almost 2,000 people were left without electricity, heat and water due to constant enemy shelling. Our crews went there in shifts as early as in the middle of March, working under constant threat. This was a difficult and dangerous job, but thanks to the joint efforts, we managed to repair equipment and put it into operation. We are always ready to lend a hand to our colleagues, as together we are able to restore electricity where it would seem hopeless,”- commented Dmytro Hryhoriev, CEO at DTEK Odesa Grids. 

The frontline was 3 to 10 kilometers from the site of repairs. Energy workers had to work in bulletproof vests and special helmets for security reasons and extremely fast, as the enemy continues to shell Kherson from the left bank of Dnipro. 

“We raised 3 sections of 450-meter long 150 kV lines, as well as 150 meters of the 35 kV overhead line and replaced broken wire. It was a difficult job. We worked at the height of more than 30 meters (for the understanding, it is the 11th floor of a multistoried building) in special protective helmets and bulletproof vests. The terrain was swampy and impassable, it was difficult to bring special machinery. We knew that we were working under the watchful eye of the enemy, as the frontline was as close as three kilometers from the working site. Nevertheless, despite all challenges, we did everything to ensure that Khersonians have electricity and water,” – shared Oleh Kudras, foreman of the Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi crew of the lines repair and operation center. 

Let us remind that in 2023 and in January 2024, energy workers of DTEK Odesa Grids on four occasions helped repair the electrical infrastructure in the Kherson region that was damaged by the enemy. The specialists managed to restore operation of the 150 kV high-voltage substation in order to provide voltage to the first line of the critical infrastructure facilities and provide Khersonians with heat and water.