How to cooperate more efficiently: DTEK Donetsk Grids held a working meeting with Mariupol condominiums
In order to observe quarantine requirements part of Mariupol condominiums chairpersons participated in person, while others participated online via Zoom. The company holds such meetings occasionally in order to present new services and discuss topics of interest for condominiums.
- Remote services is the main topic during the pandemic
The company continues to invest heavily in remote service channels for efficient and safe communication with customers. In 2021, we have introduced new online services: submission of metered values on the website without additional registration; application of request for new connection on the website; application of request for maintenance of meters on the website, preliminary online appointment to the customer service centers. We put efforts every day to make the power supply more reliable, and the service convenient and customer-oriented.
“It is important to us that this meeting finally took place and we were able to discuss matters of concern to condominiums representatives, – highlighted Ihor Safronov, head of housing resources department at Mariupol city council. – It is essential to organize a productive dialog and continue improving both remote services and electrical infrastructure of our city.”
- Company’s call-center operation and alternative services
It is worth noting that there are about half a million residents in Mariupol. In the event of bad weather, load on call-center rises exponentially and customers have to wait for connection with the operator. Just as it is the case for any other company in such situation.
That is why we want to draw your attention to the online services, such as Viber and Telegram chat bots, condominiums community in Viber, company’s web-site, official company page in Facebook, where operators are available 24/7. Moreover, these services can be used to inform about an emergency – operators will register your application and forward it to the corresponding services.
- Importance of scheduled outages and upgrading grid equipment
Electrical grids were installed in Mariupol 50-60 years ago and are in need of an upgrade. This is why we perform scheduled maintenance, which, sometimes, comes with power cut offs, required for safe operation on electrical equipment. Scheduled maintenance is conducted for two reasons: connection of new consumers to the grids and upgrade of old grids. Maintenance, repair and reconstruction of electrical grid infrastructure is one of the distribution system operators’ primary functions, subject to approval by the regulator. It affects development of grids, replacement of obsolete components and incorporation of innovations.
Information about such cut offs is posted on the company’s website at least 5 working days in advance. This information is also available in our Viber and Telegram chat bots, as well as in condominiums community in Viber. Besides, the company provides information for the city chat bot Nazar.
In 2022, DTEK Donetsk Grids continues its Big Network Renovation program a program for networks upgrade to improve reliability of power supply in Mariupol. We will replace obsolete equipment that had exhausted its service life in order to improve and upgrade it. In 2022, we will undertake work to improve power supply of the quarter of city residents – 135,000 households.
- How many DTEK Donetsk Grids crews are involved in activities in Mariupol?
As of today, there are 12 repair crews in Mariupol district of grids, including two crews with electric laboratories, required for inspection of cable lines. The company plans to form four more crews in the near future. In case of severe weather, the company involves additional crews from the nearby divisions.