In the face of unprecedented challenges, the resilience of Ukraine’s energy sector continues to defy expectations. Over the past week, energy workers from DTEK Grids have achieved a monumental task: restoring electricity supply to 1,000,000 families whose homes were plunged into darkness by russian aggression.
This figure is staggering in its scale. To put it into perspective, DTEK Grids serves approximately 5.4 million households across five regions of Ukraine. This means that in just seven days, nearly one in five of our customers had their power restored by our emergency crews.
Understanding the Grid: The European Model
To appreciate the complexity of this work, it is helpful to understand how Ukraine’s electricity market functions, which operates in line with the standard European model. The system is divided into two distinct responsibilities: Transmission and Distribution.
Think of the electricity network like a national road system:
- Transmission (The Highways): This is managed by the state-owned operator, Ukrenergo. They look after the high-voltage lines that carry massive amounts of electricity over long distances—the "motorways" of the energy system.
- Distribution (The Local Roads): Once electricity reaches a specific region, it must be stepped down and delivered to individual homes and businesses. This is the "local road network," managed by private Distribution System Operators (DSOs).
DTEK Grids operates the distribution networks in five key areas:
- Kyiv City
- Kyiv Region
- Dnipro Region
- Donetsk Region
- Odesa Region
It is on these "local roads"—the lines that connect directly to homes—that DTEK crews have been working tirelessly. When the main "highways" are hit, the entire system suffers, but often russia targets the local distribution routes, requiring intricate, dangerous, and rapid repair work.
A Digital and Resilient Future
DTEK Grids was founded in 2018 to modernise this critical infrastructure. Beyond emergency repairs, we are introducing smart meters, digital grid technologies, and advanced customer experience systems. Our long-term goal is to transform the customer from a passive consumer into an active partner in the energy market.
However, the immediate priority remains the "Fight for Light." This campaign highlights the bravery of our 55,000-strong workforce across the DTEK Group. From the Odesa coast to the industrial heartland of Dnipro and the frontline towns of Donetsk as well as Ukraine’s capital city, our teams are the first responders of the energy front.
Restoring power to a million families in a week is a testament to their skill and bravery. It sends a clear message: no matter the destruction, we will rebuild, we will repair, and we will keep the lights on.
