Results of 2022-23 AWP: over 5,500 eliminated emergencies and 1.5 mln customers’ requests. DTEK explained how it managed to ensure electricity supply in the Dnipropetrovsk region during the most difficult heating season in the history of Ukraine
Despite the unprecedented attacks on civil energy infrastructure, energy workers did everything to get through this winter without a blackout and provide residents with electricity and heating. During the past autumn-winter period (2022-23 AWP), DTEK Dnipro Grids specialists have eliminated over 5,500 emergencies, including 1,000 caused by hostilities, and restored electricity to 717,000 customers. 322 crews of energy workers have been working every month to ensure reliable operation of the grid.
Missile attacks caused damage of various scale to the Ukrainian energy system, creating shortage of available electrical power and causing power shutdowns in the Dnipropetrovsk region 12 times during the heating season. In order to maintain operation of the country’s energy system and prevent larger destructions and blackouts, the company has created schedules of hourly shutdowns. Such actions of DTEK guaranteed stable provision of electricity to the city’s critical infrastructure facilities (hospitals, water utility facilities, heating stations, etc.) and fair distribution of the existing power among population. Such stabilization shutdowns schedules have been applied in the Dnipropetrovsk region for 98 days.
“Contrary to expectations, an extremely difficult heating season has passed in a controlled manner, not least thanks to our preparations for winter. Despite all difficulties, brought by the war, our specialists managed to restore 118 km of power lines and repair 730 power facilities, 46 of which are large high-voltage substations. DTEK has been a reliable support for Ukrainians during the most difficult autumn-winter period in the history of Ukraine. We will continue to do everything in our power to be a support for the country,” – noted DTEK Dnipro Grids General Director Andrii Tereshchuk.
Due to the war and power outages during the 2022-23 autumn-winter period, a number of requests to the company has increased more than 2.4 times. There were 1.5 million calls alone. For comparison, there were 600,000 requests during the same period last year. In order to process such number of requests we have increased number of contact center specialists from 35 to 85. Besides, we have actively encouraged customers to use online services. A chatbot and services on the DTEK Dnipro Grids website allow customers get required services remotely: conclude agreements, request connections, submit meter readings and file applications for repairs, etc. Over the course of a year, the number of company’s chatbot users has increased 4 times – from 100,000 to almost 400,000.
The most difficult autumn-winter period in Ukraine has passed but DTEK Dnipro Grids has already started preparation for the next winter. In 2023, company’s specialists plan, among other things, to upgrade 1,160 power facilities and modernize 2,747 kilometers of power lines. In particular, they plan to complete restoration of the 150 KV overhead power line in Dnipro, as well as make a necessary stock of materials for restoration and repairs.
We got through this winter – we will get through anything!
Glory to Ukraine!