Preparation for winter: DTEK Dnipro Grids repaired 385 km of power lines in the region
Despite the full-scale enemy aggression, the scheduled activities are conducted in the Dnipropetrovsk region on a yearly basis to ensure stability of the grids during peak load in the autumn-winter period.
In the times of war, the company is doing everything possible for the residents of the region to have heat and power supply in winter and continues investing in development and modernization of the grids, to prepare electrical equipment for winter in particular. Thus, since the beginning of 2024, it has already repaired 1,023 substations and distribution points of various voltage class, 385 kilometers of the 35-150 kV overhead power lines, pruned branches and cleared more than 1,400 kilometers of routes under the power lines from shrub in order to reduce the risk of emergencies during bad weather.
Energy workers have already reconstructed 7 substations in the region and continue to work on enhancing equipment of power facilities. In particular, they are currently performing major overhaul and re-equipment of the substation in Dnipro that powers buildings and critical infrastructure facilities in the left-bank part of the city.
Due to application of schedules of stabilization shutdowns, power equipment is wearing out and failing faster, therefore the volume of required investments increases.
“Before the heating season, DTEK Dnipro Grids continues to invest in stability of the grids and develop them. In particular, during the first half of 2024, the total scope of investments amounts to UAH 604 mln. By the end of the year, we plan to additionally direct over UAH 740 mln for development and upgrade of the energy infrastructure,” – noted Andrii Tereshchuk, CEO at DTEK Dnipro Grids.
Energy workers also continue replacing obsolete meters of the region’s residents, which service life is expiring. They are replaced with the “smart” metering devices. In particular, energy workers have already replaced 30,300 items in the first half of the year and plan to replace another 33,700 meters with the new ones by the end of the year.
In order to ensure the most efficient preparation for the 2024-2025 heating season, DTEK Dnipro Grids also urges service companies of the multi-appartement houses – housing offices, condominiums, housing associations, managing companies – to inspect their equipment, conduct required maintenance and eliminate possible malfunctions. After all, according to statistics, an average of 30% of emergencies happen in the local networks.