OREANDA-NEWS. DTEK Burshtynskaya TPP launched the second stage of reconstruction of the outdoor switchgear unit (220/330/400 kV). In 2010, the company replaced the protection relay of the unit after the completion of the first stage. The second and last stage of the upgrade will extend the service life of the equipment by 25 years and improve reliability and efficiency of the power plant. The budget for the unit upgrade will total about UAH 190 million and modernisation will run until 2018.

The engineering documents will be developed and approved in 2014, which is an important stage of the project. The company expects to develop and approve the technological, environmental and engineering solutions for the facility during this time. Under the 2014-2018 reconstruction programme, it will replace all 330 kV switches, 330 kV and 400 kV disconnecting switches, all voltage transformers and a DC board. Also, the company will install overvoltage suppressors and overhaul the lighting network of the switchgear as most of the equipment has been in service for over 40 years and needs to be replaced.

New measuring transformers and modern protection devices will enhance the reliability and increase the performance efficiency by up to three times. SF6 technology circuit breakers are considered to be the best solution worldwide and will help to reduce the time for disconnecting breakers in case of emergency. As a result, this will help to reduce the damage to the TPP's equipment. Due to the higher level of reliability DTEK Burshtynskaya TPP will improve its efficiency and increase export energy supplies to Europe and satisfy the internal consumption needs.

In 2013, DTEK Burshtynskaya TPP exported 4.335 million kWh of electricity, which is 14% more year-on-year. The company sees a fourfold increase in export of electricity to European countries from 2010.

“To ensure efficient performance in the national market and compete with European energy generating companies we need to implement new technologies, carry out modernisation and replace obsolete equipment. In 2014, we will develop technical design documents which will outline technological, environmental and engineering solutions for reconstructing the facility. In 2015-2018, we plan to purchase equipment, carry out assembling and commissioning works,” stated Bogdan Getman, Head of electrical shop of DTEK Burshtynskaya TPP. “Reconstruction of the outdoor switchgear is the first step to integration of the national energy system into European community of operators of energy grids.”