#EnergyWings: DTEK energy workers in the Kyiv region will reinforce over 50 stork nests on the poles in order to prevent power outages and protect the birds
DTEK Kyiv Regional Grids usually carries out reinforcement of nests on electric poles with special metal platforms 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 customers inform about discovered stork nests on the poles. Since the launch of the feature on the website, the company received over 132 customer requests.
“Despite the war, DTEK Kyiv Regional 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 customer requests related to stork nests. We check information during our visit to the indicated sites. Wherever it is confirmed that the nest needs to be reinforced, we 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 mainly maintaining the energy system in proper condition 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 Kyiv Regional Grids.
Energy workers plan to reinforce 51 nests in 2023. This will help prevent emergencies and power outages for customers. Additionally, this will protect the storks from electrocution and death, when the birds will return to Ukraine in spring.
Over the past 3 years, the company has already reinforced over 100 nests on the poles. According to ecologists’ estimates, it helped protect at least 1,300 specimens of the white stork – a symbolic bird for Ukrainians. Famous Ukrainians help energy workers reinforce stork nests.
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 ESG principles, values and responsibility of business for progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN Global Compact.