Ukraine's DTEK reconnects another thermal power plant unit to grid

MOSCOW. Oct 19 (Interfax) - The 18th unit of Ukrainian thermal power plants' 19 units undergoing maintenance for the fall-winter season has been put back into operation by Ukrainian energy holding DTEK upon completion of maintenance.

This unit's reconnection to the grid has added up to 150 MW of capacity to the Ukrainian energy system, Ukrainian media outlets said, citing information circulated by DTEK on social media.

"The maintenance program for the start of the fall-winter season has been accomplished by 95% to date," the company said.

As reported, a thermal power plant's unit with capacity of up to 80 MW was reconnected to the grid on October 17.

Meanwhile, DTEK Kiev Regional Grids has developed a software-based product to ensure consumers' even disconnection from power supply if power cut schedules have to be introduced, Ukrainian media said.

"This software-based product developed by us informs an operator what should be switched on or switched off and when, ruling out an operator's error. We understood last year it is difficult for an operator to control the schedules and limits in order to ensure social justice as much as possible. We have tested the program and will use it if power cut schedules are introduced," the company's general director Vitaly Shaida said at a press briefing in Kiev on Wednesday.

DTEK Kiev Regional Grids has taken all measures that are now possible to reduce the number of consumers connected to critical infrastructure facilities, Shaida said. As a result, power cut schedules were not imposed on them.

"We have halved the number of such consumers, but we cannot bring this number down to zero for technical reasons. This issue will be resolved over time, including as a result of the development of the Smart Grid in the Kiev region," he said.