Dmytro Sotnichenko, a senior machinist overseeing the power units at the boiler-turbine shop at “Kyiv thermal power station” Joint Venture, always had a clear vision of his future in the energy sector. His journey began as a student when during a tour of the CHP plant, he instantly felt that he had found his professional calling.
As a senior machinist, Dmytro remains steadfast at his post, even during air raids. His shift has endured missile strikes twice, each time being called upon to respond to the aftermath with resilience and determination. During a power outage, Dmytro and his team had to manually shut down the equipment to protect it from further damage.
Recalling a missile strike last spring, Dmytro describes a scene of controlled chaos. “We were in bulletproof vests and helmets, monitoring the equipment. Two units were operational, and we were tracking the bombing updates through messengers. Suddenly, there was a powerful explosion. The equipment started shutting down. We did everything in our power to keep both units running to prevent the station from losing power.”
The uncertainty of what was unfolding in other parts of the station heightened the tension. Dmytro and his colleagues couldn’t abandon their posts and the equipment to assist others. There was a collective sigh of relief when they learned that everyone was alive and unharmed.
Through their relentless efforts, Dmytro and his team managed to keep their power plant’s equipment operational and ensure seamless switching of thermal circuits, averting a potentially larger disaster.
From the onset of the full-scale invasion, Dmytro and his fellow energy workers across Ukraine have been operating under extraordinarily challenging conditions. Despite the constant threat to their lives, they strive to keep Ukraine’s energy system up and running amidst relentless Russian bombardment. When asked if he would consider changing to a safer job, Dmytro’s response is brief and resolute: “Who, if not us?”
Background information:
Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), through its Energy Security Project (ESP), has provided Kyivteploenergo:
- 11.2 km of pre-insulated pipes and shut-off fittings
- 137 electric generators
- 2637 tons of industrial salt
- 4 excavators
- 20,320 meters of cable products
- 15 pumps