On 1 March 2016, DTEK Donetskoblenergo put into operation a new 110 kV power line to ensure a reliable electricity supply to the frontline Krasnohorivka. DTEK power engineers built a new 4 km-long line outside the military action area as the lines powering the town go through the contact line and are often shelled. The company committed about UAH 3 million to the construction.
DTEK Donetskoblenergo restored power supply back on to Krasnohorivka more than ten times over the entire period of hostilities as both high-voltage power lines feeding Krasnohorivka were on the frontline and constantly came under fire. They were disconnected by multiple damages, cutting off the power supply for local residents and businesses. DTEK repair crews could not always restore power on time as they did not have access, or the so-called green corridor, to the damaged facilities. In December 2015, Krasnohorivka was shelled again and was fully cut off for 20 days. To address the issue, DTEK decided to build a temporary bypass 110 kV power line outside the area of hostilities.
In January 2016, DTEK Donetskoblenergo power engineers started preparation works for the construction. They explored the route, defined the work scope and brought the necessary materials. Assembling works started on 1 February. They laid about 13 km of power cables, installed 29 reinforced concrete pillars, 39 reinforced concrete poles and 1,400 glass insulators. Altogether, 17 power engineers worked for 29 days. DTEK Donetskoblenergo spent UAH 3 million to carry out construction works.
“A 17-strong team had to work in a very complex environment: in strong wind, rain and snow, without days off. The power line route is very complex: our specialists had to lay it over the pond and within the restricted town space. We are very well aware of the hard living conditions without electricity and heating in the area near the contact line. That’s why we tried to complete the works as soon as possible and ensure a reliable power source for Krasnohorivka. And we tried to ensure a possibility for our team to carry out the repairs independent of the green corridor,” noted DTEK Donetskoblenergo Technical Director Aleksandr Kozhukhar.
Since May 2014, during the hostilities in Donetsk Oblast and after the ceasefire announcement, power engineers of DTEK Donetskoblenergo have restored 600 high-voltage power lines, 550 high-voltage transformer stations, and about 2,500 6-10 kV transformer stations (local networks).
Source: DTEK website