DTEK boss channels spirit of Ukraine boxer Usyk to fight power plant bombings

Maxim Timchenko says fighting spirit will defy cycle of destruction-restoration-destruction

Two years ago, the boss of Ukrainian energy company DTEK spoke at the Eurelectric Power Summit just weeks after the Russian invasion of his country.

This week, Maxim Timchenko was back at the summit as a surprise keynote speaker and he told the audience that when he was there 24 months ago, “I did not expect that worse was to come”.

“Nobody expected 90% of thermal power to be destroyed in five attacks,” he said, referring to onslaughts that began in March and have continued.

“We are in a cycle of destruction-restoration-destruction: Russia knows exactly what to hit. Last year they targeted the grid: this year it’s power generation – none of our power stations have roofs.”

He said the “hardest thing” is seeing the impact this destruction is having on communities. “Generations of families live around these power stations. They see what was built by their grandparents is not there anymore. We have to reassure these people that it will be restored.”

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And yet Timchenko told the audience in Athens: “The irony is that I am more confident now than two years ago.

“We now know how to protect our infrastructure – even with 90 per cent of destruction.”

“But,” he added, “we need help”.

“We need access to decommissioning coal and gas plant equipment. And we need to install more open-cycle gas turbines.”

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And he channelled the spirit of Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk, who at the weekend defeated the bigger, heavier British fighter Tyson Fury to become undisputed world heavyweight champion.

Timchenko said Usyk was “smaller, he was lighter… but he had a bigger heart. He symbolises Ukraine. We will win like Oleksandr.”