This made it possible to restore a significant part of the thermal generation capacities damaged by hostile shelling, carry out the annual scheduled maintenance campaign at thermal power stations, and support the production of coal volumes required for their reliable operation.
“Last year was a period of unprecedented testing of the power system's strength and Ukrainians' resilience. We went through the most difficult winter, recovered as much as physically possible after such large-scale attacks and in such a short time. And we have already come close to the equator of this heating season. For our part, we have strengthened the resilience of thermal generation, as it bears the lion's share of responsibility for balancing the power system during peak consumption. We continue to do everything we can to maintain the reliable operation of the power system and thus keep Ukrainians' homes warm and light despite the shelling and the shortage of internal backup generating capacities” summed up Ildar Salieiev, DTEK Energy CEO.
Repairs and restoration. Last year, power engineers restored 9 power units after massive shelling. The upgraded facilities made it possible to increase the operation of thermal generation during peak consumption. To prepare the equipment of thermal power plants for maximum operation in the current heating season, DTEK Energy carried out 24 repairs of power units as part of the annual scheduled maintenance campaign. To compensate for the fact that it was not possible to repair before winter, among them there are two additionally reactivated power units with a total capacity of 500 MW. Investments in the repair campaign, according to preliminary data, amounted to about UAH 4 billion (compared to UAH 2.2 billion in 2022).
A reserve of critical equipment was also purchased and formed in case of new shelling, and thermal power plants and mines were provided with backup power sources – more than 200 powerful generators.
Generation. Despite the shelling and damage to the thermal power plants, DTEK Energy worked hard and maintained the reliability of the power system, especially during peak consumption. Therefore, in 2023, generating companies supplied almost 15.2 billion kWh of electricity, which is equivalent to the average consumption of about 5.1 million households over the year.
Coal. Last year, DTEK Energy put 26 new coal mines into operation. This allowed miners to meet their production targets and produce as much coal as planned. This, in turn, made it possible to provide Ukrainian thermal power plants with enough fuel to operate during the heating season and other peaks in consumption. According to preliminary data, the company's investments in Ukrainian coal mining amounted to about UAH 7 billion (compared to UAH 3.8 billion in 2022).
DTEK Energy has also created an additional “airbag” of imported fuel for the winter. At the end of the year, more than half of the coal volumes contracted for the entire heating season were delivered from Poland: 154 thousand tonnes. Deliveries continue.
Machine building. Last year, DTEK Energy's machine-building enterprises manufactured and repaired 750 units of mining equipment, including 15 new tunneling and cleaning combines, to maintain the reliable operation of Ukrainian mines. In addition, in 2023, machine builders provided miners with 1.1 million spare parts and components.
Thanks to this equipment, the miners managed to maximise coal production and maintain the necessary fuel reserves for the reliable operation of thermal generation and the Ukrainian power system as a whole.