What do you need to know about schedules of power shutdowns? – answers DTEK Dnipro Grids

Thermal power generation21 May 2024

Since May 16, energy workers of DTEK Dnipro Grids have to apply schedules of stabilization shutdowns in the region in accordance with NPC Ukrenergo order due to significant shortage of electricity in the energy system. Russian attacks severely damaged the energy system, therefore there is not enough electricity for all consumers in the country. If consumption is not limited in such conditions, it will cause multiple emergencies. Why the shutdowns are necessary and how they happen – answers DTEK Dnipro Grids

What do you need to know about schedules of power shutdowns? – answers DTEK Dnipro Grids

Significant electricity shortage is caused by consequences of large-scale enemy attacks on the energy infrastructure of the country. Over the past months, energy generating stations suffered particularly significant destruction. Energy workers applied all available resources, but it was not enough. In order to save the energy system, power shutdowns are applied.

Who decides when the shutdowns will happen?

NPC Ukrenergo estimates the available power being generated, and then assigns how much electricity will be available in each region. If consumption exceeds this volume, chief controller will give an order to DTEK Dnipro Grids to apply stabilization or emergency power shutdowns. In its turn, the Distribution System Operator does everything required to ensure that available electricity is distributed fairly among all residents and enterprises.

How do the shutdown schedules work? Why am I without electricity for more than 4 hours?

Since the available volume of electricity consumption is forecasted in advance, DTEK Dnipro Grids is able to equally distribute it among various consumers and make a schedule, which ensures power shutdowns for everyone in turn.

There are two categories in the schedules:

white zone — electricity is present;
grey zone — electricity is absent (about 4 hours ± 30 minutes to switch the customers);

Why there was no warning about shutdowns?

We inform about introduction of power shutdown schedules immediately after receiving this information from NPC Ukrenergo. We post notices about schedules on the DTEK Dnipro Grids website, on our Facebook page and in Viber and Telegram chatbot. Schedules are available in section “No electricity” on our website. If the shutdown is an emergency one – it happens without warning or preset schedule. Once our specialists receive NPC Ukrenergo command, they have 10 minutes to limit consumption for a clearly defined volume.

Why apply shutdowns at night?

The Distribution System Operator clearly subordinates to commands of the energy system operator – NPC Ukrenergo. We apply shutdowns only after receiving a corresponding command. The shutdowns are currently applied during peak electricity consumption hours in the evening – from 18:00 to 24:00. This is when there is a shortage of electricity.

Why does my neighbor have electricity and I do not?

The shutdowns are applied to all buildings and streets. However, different buildings and even different blocks of one building may be energized from different power lines, therefore they are de-energized in different times. Buildings, connected to the critical infrastructure (hospitals, pump stations, boiler houses), are never de-energized. The list of such facilities is approved by local authorities.

Will the streetlights be turned off?

This issue is taken care of by local authorities. We negotiate with local authorities and together search for the best solution regarding shutdown of streetlights, which, on the one hand, will help save on electricity, and on the other – will not impair safety in towns.

We understand how hard it is for you to be without electricity. But we ask you to be patient and trust in energy workers. We are doing everything for shutdowns to last as short as possible.