#EnergyWings: DTEK energy workers in the Dnipropetrovsk region will reinforce 5 stork nests on the poles in order to prevent power outages and protect the birds

Thermal power generation03 November 2023

Over the course of October – November 2023, within the framework of the EnergyWings project, DTEK Dnipro Grids energy workers in the Dnipropetrovsk region will relocate 5 stork nests, built on electric poles, to the protective platforms. Two of them are already installed in Kamianske district. Energy workers reinforce the nests to prevent its collapse on the grids and avoid power outages for customers. Besides, it also helps protect the birds from electrocution and death. Over the past 10 years, the company has already reinforced over 200 nests on the poles. According to the ecologists’ estimates, this helped protect at least 4,000 specimens of this symbolic Ukrainian bird - a white stork.

#EnergyWings: DTEK energy workers in the Dnipropetrovsk region will reinforce 5 stork nests on the poles in order to prevent power outages and protect the birds

DTEK Dnipro Grids specialists usually carry out reinforcement of nests on electric poles with special metal platforms in autumn, when the birds fly south to warmer areas. Energy workers find out about such nests during scheduled inspections of the grids and with the help of caring customers. In July 2023, the company launched a new feature on the website that helps residents of the region inform about discovered stork nests on the poles.

“Despite the war, DTEK Dnipro Grids continues to restore and reinforce the energy infrastructure, as well as develop the grids based on the sustainable development principles. Our energy workers process all received requests related to stork nests, check the information during the visit to the indicated sites and wherever it is confirmed that the nest needs to be reinforced add it to the list of scheduled activities. Relocation to the platforms will be carried out based on the available capabilities, as energy workers are now primarily preparing the grids for the upcoming winter and processing emergency requests, restoring electricity to the customers’ homes after bad weather, shelling or technological violations. But, as soon as the company’s specialists will have an opportunity, they will definitely take care of the stork nests as well,” – underscored DTEK Dnipro Grids.

In October, within the framework of the #EnergyWings project, energy workers in the Kamianske district have installed two special platforms in the villages of Illinka and Stepanivka. Due to the metal structure, the nests will now firmly hold on the pole and will not sag on the power lines. Thus, birds will be safe and the residents will have electricity.

“Storks are one of the symbols of Krynychky territorial community. Therefore, such DTEK projects are very important, as they allow to protect population of birds. And they are a great example for education of future generations,” – assured Ihor Lisovyi, deputy head of the Kamianske District State Administration, who took part in the event.

Energy workers plan to install 3 more platforms in the Dnipropetrovsk region in November.

Over the past 10 years, DTEK Dnipro Grids specialists have already reinforced more than 200 nests on the poles. 20 of those have been installed during 16 months of the full-scale war. This helped prevent power outages for tens of thousands of customers. According to the ecologists’ estimates, it also helped protect at least 4,000 specimens of the white stork.

Since 2021, energy workers relocate stork nests to the metal platforms within the framework of the environmental and educational project #EnergyWings, initiated by DTEK Grids to help preserve population of the white stork in Ukraine and draw attention of the society to an important subject – caring attitude towards wildlife. Its main objective is popularization of protection and preservation of biodiversity, promotion of values and responsibility of business for progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN Global Compact.