Ukraine’s DTEK plans Kyiv region smart grid

DTEK is planning a €2.4 billion (US$2.6 billion) smart metering and smart grid upgrade in the war-hit region around the capital, Kyiv.

The aim is to build a smart grid capable of withstanding military assault while at the same time accelerating Ukraine’s energy transition.

The Kyiv regional power grid – which excludes the capital – has been extensively damaged on two occasions, once in Spring of 2022 when Russian forces were advancing on the capital and again towards the end of the year when the country’s civilian energy infrastructure was being targeted.

Once the areas were liberated, DTEK was able to send in crews to reconnect homes and businesses. However, despite the restoration of power, which took about 45 days, the network remains in need of extensive repairs and major upgrades to raise it to modern European standards.

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DTEK’s grid operating business DTEK Grids is seeking €2.4 billion of funding in a 10 year-project to transform the region’s power infrastructure.

The plans, which still need to be approved by Ukraine’s Ministry of Energy, envisage building a smart grid with 20,000km of new overhead and underground cables, 250 substations, 6,000 transformers and nearly a million smart meters.

Advantages envisaged include a resilient smart grid infrastructure that will continue to operate even when individual segments are damaged or destroyed, increased usage of power produced from renewable sources, digital twin technology modelling and a flexible system enabling consumers to become prosumers.

“DTEK does not seek to only rebuild what was destroyed but to build a new power sector for Ukraine that is cleaner, innovative and more resilient,” says DTEK CEO Maxim Timchenko.

“This investment will give the Kyiv region a world-class smart grid infrastructure that enables Ukraine’s energy transition: integrating renewable generation and preparing Ukraine to become a major clean energy hub for the European Union.”

DTEK Grids is planning to test the new grid concept in a three-year pilot phase across Irpin-Bucha-Borodyanka, an area about 25km from the capital, for which an initial funding of €145 million (US$159 million) is being sought.

DTEK Grids is Ukraine’s largest electricity distribution business, providing electricity to 5.6 million customers through seven regional DSOs in Kyiv City and the surrounding region.