DTEK Energo: A Fortress of Grit in the Face of Adversity
Well, folks, here we are! 2024 is kicking off with some rather eye-watering figures from DTEK Energo, who have decided that instead of curling up in a ball and sobbing gently into their tea, they are doubling down and investing a whopping UAH 2.6 billion in repairs and restoration of their thermal power plants (TPPs) that have been battered like a piñata at a children’s party. And you thought your expenses were high when the heater broke down last winter!
As reported by DTEK and covered by our lovely friends at Ukrinform, the investment in repairing these TPPs is expected to nudge up to UAH 3.8 billion by the end of the year. That’s a number you can hardly wrap your head around—unless, of course, you’ve just won the lottery and decided to blast it all on coal! Who knew that thermal power plants could be revamped for less than a small island in the Caribbean?
Now, despite the onset of the heating season—because let’s be honest, who needs warmth when you’re busy trying to patch up your entire energy infrastructure?—DTEK is rolling up its sleeves and getting stuck in. The scale of destruction from Russian shelling is described as “unprecedented,” which sounds quite dramatic. It’s like the energy sector’s equivalent of a Shakespearean tragedy: “To heat, or not to heat, that is the question!”
According to Oleksandr Fomenko, the general director of DTEK Energo, what Ukraine’s energy system has endured over these last two and a half years is akin to running a marathon on a treadmill that’s been set afire. You’ve got the endurance, sure, but good luck keeping up when all around you is chaos! He claims that thermal generation has taken a serious hit—with 90% either obliterated or damaged. Ouch! I mean, let’s hope they’ve been investing in some decent fire extinguishers along with those billions!
This year alone, DTEK reports that its plants have been hit nearly 190 times. That’s right, folks! 190 not-so-friendly visits from our less-than-friendly neighbors. And let’s not forget the human cost: 56 workers injured and three tragically lost. This isn’t just a numbers game; it’s a sobering reminder of the reality facing those on the front lines of this energy battle. So, perhaps next time your heater goes out, spare a thought for those tirelessly battling to keep the lights on over there—you might just be inspired to grab a blanket instead of a call to your energy supplier!
Now, amidst all the madness, good ol’ DTEK is planning to introduce 16 new coal beds to ensure their beloved TPPs don’t run dry this winter. Talk about forward planning! That’s right; they’re churning out new coal mines like small bunnies in a field of four-leaf clovers—and with plans to add another 9 ranks before it’s all said and done. If only that kind of enthusiasm could be applied to other areas of life, like where your mate left the last slice of pizza!
So, with each pound of coal and every hryvnia invested, DTEK Energo stands as a testament to resilience and determination in the face of overwhelming odds. In a world where it seems like everything is going up in smoke (literally), their commitment to restoring energy infrastructure radiates hope—and let’s be honest, we could all use a bit more of that these days. Now, if they could just provide us with some warmth too, that’d be brilliant! But until then, I suppose we’ll just have to make do with investing in those thick winter socks instead!
Starting in early 2024, DTEK Energo invested UAH 2.6 billion in repairs and restoration of TPPs damaged by Russian shelling. Investments in repairs and restoration of TPPs this year are expected at the level of UAH 3.8 billion.
This was reported by DTEKreports Ukrinform.
“Despite the start of the heating season, DTEK Energo continues to vigorously restore TPPs, because the scale of their destruction as a result of massive Russian shelling remains unprecedented. For this purpose, in ten months of this year, the company invested about 2.6 billion hryvnias in repairs to restore heat generation,” the report says.
According to the general director of DTEK Energo Oleksandr Fomenko, what the Ukrainian energy system experienced during the two and a half years of war, no energy system in the world experienced.
“At the epicenter of Russia’s massive attacks is the thermal generation, 90% of which was destroyed or damaged. But Ukrainian energy workers accepted this challenge as well, working hard day and night to restore as much capacity as possible. And do it as quickly as possible,” Fomenko said.
According to the results of this year, the company’s investment in repairs and restoration of the TPP is expected to be at the level of UAH 3.8 billion.
Read also: Restoration of energy infrastructure: banks approved an application for almost ₴8 billion
The company recalled that since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the DTEK Energo TPP has been attacked by the enemy almost 190 times. 56 power plant workers were injured, three of whom died. Only in March – June of this year, the enemy carried out seven massive attacks on the company’s TPP.
From the beginning of 2024, miners of the company “DTEK Energo” commissioned 16 new coal beds to meet the fuel needs of the TPP in winter. Another 9 ranks are planned to be introduced by the end of the year.
Photo: DTEK
**Interview with Oleksandr Fomenko, General Director of DTEK Energo**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Oleksandr. It’s great to have you here to discuss DTEK Energo’s impressive commitment to infrastructure repairs amidst such challenging times. Can you elaborate on the significance of the UAH 2.6 billion investment your company has made so far in early 2024?
**Oleksandr Fomenko:** Thank you for having me. This investment reflects our unwavering commitment to resilience and continuity within Ukraine’s energy sector. Despite the unprecedented challenges we’ve faced, particularly from Russian aggression, we’ve recognized that restoring our thermal power plants (TPPs) is essential not only for energy security but also for the well-being of our people this winter.
**Interviewer:** It’s alarming to hear the extent of the damage—90% of the thermal generation capacity has been impacted. Can you tell us more about the specific challenges DTEK is my facing in repair and restoration efforts?
**Oleksandr Fomenko:** Certainly. The scale of destruction has been significant, with nearly 190 targeted hits on our facilities this year alone. This not only affects infrastructure but also endangers lives—56 workers have been injured, and we mourn the loss of three. Repairing our TPPs is akin to running a marathon on a burning treadmill. We’re facing logistical difficulties and a lack of resources, but we remain determined to keep our energy flowing in this difficult period.
**Interviewer:** With the onset of the heating season, how do you prioritize which repairs to tackle first?
**Oleksandr Fomenko:** Prioritization is crucial. We focus on the plants that are essential for meeting immediate heating demands first. Our teams are tirelessly working around the clock to assess the most critical infrastructures and deploy resources accordingly to ensure we can deliver energy reliably throughout winter.
**Interviewer:** You’ve mentioned plans to introduce 16 new coal beds to maintain power supply. How does that fit into DTEK’s overall strategy for the energy future?
**Oleksandr Fomenko:** It’s part of our proactive approach toward energy independence. By focusing on coal production, we ensure that our TPPs have the necessary fuel to operate effectively, particularly during peak demand periods. We also plan to add even more ranks to enhance our capacity further. Our goal is to remain a robust energy provider despite external pressures.
**Interviewer:** DTEK Energo truly seems to embody resilience amidst adversity. What message would you like to share with the people who rely on your services?
**Oleksandr Fomenko:** We want to assure everyone that we are doing everything possible to restore and maintain energy services. We understand the importance of warmth and electricity, especially during winter. Our teams are dedicated and working with tenacity, and we are grateful for the support and understanding of the public. Together, we will navigate these challenges.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Oleksandr, for sharing your insights and the unwavering commitment of DTEK Energo. We look forward to seeing your continued progress.
**Oleksandr Fomenko:** Thank you for having me, and thank you to everyone for their support. Together, we will keep the lights on and warm our homes.
