In an interview with BBC, DTEK CEO Maxim Timchenko talked about how much damage missile attacks have caused to the energy industry and DTEK. And also called on Western partners provide DTEK with various electrical equipment to restore power supply.
Maxim, tell me about DTEK`s facilities which was hit?
Starting October 10, as whole world knows, we got massive attack on energy infrastructure of Ukraine.
Five of six thermal power stations operated by us got hit, three of them repeatedly. There is a huge damage brought to us. It caused rolling blackouts in the cities including Kyiv. But we do everything possible to restore electricity supply.
It must be a terrifying to work in the plant knowing that you are direct target for russia?
Our heroic employees are risking their livis. But they still come to working places to restore supply. Because they understand that the whole country depends on what they are doing. Unfortunately, because of several air strikes, 7 employees got injured and 1 killed. This is reality Ukraine lives in.
How do you protect these facilities?
Two months ago we started building protective structures around the major part around our equipment, in outside of our power stations. But it can not protect against direct hits of Iranian drones or missiles.
Our responsibility is to do whatever we can to build the structures and repair restore electricity supply as soon as possible.
How difficult do you think this winter is going to be?
We live in the highest level of uncertainty. But we manage to accumulate maximum amount of coal and gas in the country. We have spared a part of equipment; we restore electricity supply within hours. But we are running out of stock unfortunately. That’s why we appeal to our international partners for support in humanitarian aid, technical aid, most importantly with the equipment. This is what we need.
