CEO Maxim Timchenko visited DTEK's operations near frontline positions last week to get a first-hand view of work to upgrade assets and to meet employees defending Ukraine's energy security.
Together with DTEK Energy CEO Oleksandr Fomenko, Timchenko visited an existing DTEK coal mine and a new enrichment plant. The mine is just a few dozen kilometres from russian forces in the country's east. The enrichment plant was built after a similar facility was lost during russia's illegal invasion.
The mine, which cannot be identified for security reasons, has been fitted with an upgraded ventilation fan – the 'lungs of the mine' – to improve working conditions for underground miners.
The CEO was also shown work on a 230 kW solar power plant, which will provide the facility with alternative power sources. The project also involves equipment to help reduce methane emissions by 8,000 tons per year (equivalent to 223,000 tons of CO2).
Timchenko met with war veterans, who returned to work at DTEK's coal enterprises after demobilisation, and thanked them for defending Ukraine and returning to the fight on the energy frontline.
Coal continues to play a critical role in an energy system at war. While nuclear energy accounts for the largest share of the mix and renewables are rising rapidly, thanks to investment from companies like DTEK, coal (or thermal) generation helps balance the system and meet peak demand.
As the largest provider of thermal energy in Ukraine, DTEK power stations have been regularly attacked since the 2022 full-scale invasion: three plants have been occupied, and hundreds of missiles and drones have repeatedly hit the remaining five.
Last year, DTEK lost up to 90% of its generating capacity. However, much of this capacity has since been restored thanks to millions of person-hours spent repairing plants and an $83 million repair program in the first six months of this year.
