In the past month, the load on thermal power plants has reduced due to warmer weather and reconnection of nuclear energy units to the grid. DTEK Energy received an opportunity to commence an annual repairs program at its TPP. This year, DTEK Energy expects to invest UAH 2.3 billion in current and mid-level repairs and overhauls of its TPP. These efforts will help reduce an equipment breakdown rate reported during this heating season that has been caused by the enormous load on the TPP and ensure reliable operation of the energy system.
‘Once again, this winter has demonstrated a need for DTEK’s load-following thermal generation that has done the energy system a good turn. During this heating season, the load has been 50% percent higher than the maximum of the past season, and unfortunately, the breakdown rate has followed this trend. Due to repairs at NPPs, our power plants have worked at high pressure and quickly responded to the demand in the energy system. Once one energy unit has been out of service for emergency repairs, we have immediately covered the need by starting the other energy unit. Thanks to the professionalism of our power engineers, Ukrainians have always had light and heat in their homes,’ — commented Ildar Salieiev, DTEK Energy's CEO. ‘We have already passed the peak of the heating season, the load has reduced, and we do not need to operate all our energy units anymore. This is why we launch our repairs campaign to get ready for the next winter.’
In March, four energy units out of 29 included in this year’s program have already been taken out of service for scheduled repairs. The staff of repair providers and power engineers of the Burshtynska, Dobtrotvirska, Kurakhivska, and Luganska TPPs have a task of repairing technological and electrical equipment, boiler surfaces that are prone to holes, and testing metal structures. Current repairs will help improve equipment reliability and reduce the breakdown rate of energy units. DTEK Energy is going to perform another seven current repairs and one major overhaul at its TPPs.
‘Fault-free and safe operation is our priority. However, in order to stop the breakdown trend, it is necessary, first of all, to stabilize the situation on the energy market, solve an issue of accruing debts on the market, and provide the generation sector with an opportunity to finance repairs. For instance, debt of NPC ‘Ukrenergo’ owed to us is UAH 2.4 billion. All these issues have to be resolved and, to start with, debts owed to market participants have to be repaid to enable us to implement our repairs program. This is the only way for us to be well-prepared for winter,’ — summarized Ildar Salieiev.