Preparation for winter: DTEK transferred more than 900 crews of energy workers into the high alert mode and formed an emergency stock of materials

Thermal power generation17 November 2023

Before the beginning of winter, DTEK Grids Distribution System Operators in Kyiv, Odesa, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk regions and in the city of Kyiv have transferred 914 emergency crews of energy workers into the high alert mode. For energy workers to be able to promptly eliminate emergencies on the girds they were provided with materials required for repair of both overhead and cable lines, as well as fuel and lubricants. Overall, DTEK DSO directed 105.6 mln UAH to forming an additional emergency stock of equipment to be able to promptly restore electricity to the customers in case of bad weather or enemy attacks. DTEK makes every effort to prepare the country’s grids for winter and enable energy workers promptly restore electricity to homes of Ukrainians in case of emergencies or enemy attacks.

Each emergency crew of energy workers of the DTEK Grids Distribution System Operators includes from 2 to 5 specialists. They are provided with required special machinery: car lifts, portable electric laboratories, earth-moving machinery, etc. To ensure more prompt elimination of emergencies on the grids by the crews, every Distribution System Operator formed a special emergency stock of equipment. It includes: couplings for cable lines, linear reinforcement and racks for the overhead lines, power and voltage transformers, 0.4 - 110 kV switching devices, disconnectors, load breakers, circuit breakers, etc. Additionally, DTEK Grids DSO provided its warehouses with the required amount of fuel and lubricants.

“DTEK Grids is a foundation and support for normal life of the country and Ukrainians. Despite the difficult situation in the country, we are preparing for winter and working 24/7 in all regions of business presence – in Kyiv, Odesa, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk regions and in the city of Kyiv. Repairs are ongoing in accordance with the plan, which is approved, controlled and monitored by the Ministry of Energy and State Energy Supervision Agency. Over 10 months, within the framework of repair and investment program, we have repaired and upgraded a total of 1,700 substations of various voltage classes and distribution points, 4,115 km of overhead lines, almost 6,000 cable lines. Besides, we have cleared 7,200 km of power lines from green spaces, this helps avoid power outages during bad weather. We formed more than 900 repair crews in these regions, who are ready to eliminate emergencies and restore electricity to homes of Ukrainians 24/7, - underscored DTEK Grids CEO Oleksandr Fomenko. – But I want to emphasize that shelling continues to damage the energy infrastructure of the country. The most frequently damaged power facilities are the ones in Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk regions. Our crews are working every day in these regions to repair equipment after shelling.”

As of today, DTEK Kyiv Regional Grids formed 238 emergency crews in the Kyiv region. DTEK Kyiv Grids manned 173 crews in Kyiv. DTEK Odesa Grids provided 206 crews for elimination of emergencies in the Odesa region. DTEK Dnipro Grids prepared 237 crews in the Dnipropetrovsk region. 60 emergency crews of energy workers are now working in the Donetsk region, where the situation remains difficult due to hostilities and constant shelling. Overall, DTEK DSO directed 105.6 mln UAH to forming additional emergency stock of equipment for emergency crews to promptly restore electricity to the customers in case of bad weather or enemy attacks.

In addition, energy workers developed a mutual assistance algorithm – if required, specialists of different DTEK Grids Distribution System Operators will be able to help each other and promptly restore electricity to customers’ homes. Such examples of teamwork have already been applied during the martial law in Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk and Donetsk regions, when it was required to promptly restore operation of the grids after enemy attacks or de-occupation.

As informed earlier, in October DTEK energy workers have restored power to homes of 337,000 families*, affected by attacks in Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa regions. After every air attack or artillery shelling, specialists of the Distribution System Operators promptly repair the grids once they get permission from the AFU and SES.