DTEK ENERGY is a partner of cities and communities and is ready act accordingly in the future in the process of a fair coal transformation. This was announced by Tetiana Overina, Executive Director of DTEK ENERGY, at the High-Level Forum ‘Fair Transformation of Coal Regions: From Plans to Actions!’, which took place in Kyiv on October 6, 2021. The event was supported by the public organization Germanwatch and the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and brought together authorities, international and Ukrainian experts.
At the Forum, it was discussed that Ukraine is an integral part of the global decarbonisation trend; therefore, transition from coal is increasingly appearing on the agenda of our state. Presently, a number of Ukrainian regions where mines and coal thermal power plants operate, as well as other regions of Europe and the world, are constantly facing challenges of decarbonisation.
Speaking at a session dedicated to the energy transition as one of the key elements of a fair transformation of coal regions, Tetiana Overina said that since 2018, DTEK ENERGY has been helping mining regions develop plans for a fair transformation and, thus, as smoothly and balanced as possible, to level social, economic and energy security risks.
‘In this matter, we adhere to the principle of “leave no one behind”, therefore we attract the maximum participants — from communities, businesses, trade unions, public organizations. We have created working groups in several territorial communities to develop transformation programs. There are 60 participants, 15 invited Ukrainian and international experts and continuous social dialogue — we want to hear, and we hear the voices of the communities,’ said Tetiana Overina.
Fair transformation programs aimed at economic diversification and reducing the dependence of heat supply systems on coal as the only source of energy have been already developed for three territories — Pershotravensk, Mykolaivka territorial community, Petropavlivka territorial community — with the participation of local authorities, DTEK ENERGY, experts, and trade unions. These programs provide two main areas: strategic projects (investment passport, investment portal) and local solutions. Thus, Mykolaivka and Petropavlivka communities will develop beekeeping, vegetable growing, horticulture, as well as production of dairy products, candied fruits, and cereals. In the mining single-industry town of Pershotravensk, it is planned to reform the housing and utility services, open a sewing workshop and teach young people new professions at the local lyceum. Emergence of new enterprises in coal regions will create jobs, including ‘green’ ones, and increase the budget.
‘DTEK ENERGY, as a responsible business, has prioritized helping local authorities address a number of issues, forming a final roadmap that will help ensure the viability of these regions. For our part, we contribute to the transformation of mining towns and villages. But for a successful and environmentally friendly coal transformation, a single overall strategy, all-round support is required, which we count on and to which we encourage business and government,’ finalized Executive Director of DTEK ENERGY.