Burshtyn TPP, Ukraine

Burshtyn TPP is a large export-oriented thermal power plant in the west of Ukraine. As part of the station, 12 power units, the design capacity of the plant is 2,400 MW. It is part of DTEK Zakhidenergo.

Historical reference

The construction of the Burshtyn TPP began in the early 1960s with the goal of providing energy to the western regions of the Ukrainian SSR and exporting large volumes to the countries of Eastern Europe. The first 200 megawatt unit was put into operation in 1965. During the next 4 years 11 more power units of the same capacity were put into operation. The total capacity of the thermal power plant was 2,400 MW.

Characteristics of the enterprise

The main fuel for Burshtyn TPP is gas coal. Its share in the fuel balance of generating production is 98.4%. The share of gas and fuel oil in electricity production is about 1.6%. They are used on TPPs to ignite coal. At the station and in the contract organizations, performing various repair work, more than 3000 people work.

To provide the plant with industrial water on the river. Rotten linden created a pond-cooler with an area of 1260 hectares. Such large volumes of water, heated by TPPs, create a favorable microclimate in the district. The reservoir is a popular holiday destination in the area, it is a commercial fish farm.

Where is Burshtyn TPP

The thermal power plant is located in Galichsky district, in the north of Ivano-Frankivsk region. The nearest large settlement is the city of Burshtyn. The enterprise is connected with the regional and district centers, as well as major highways by a railway branch and highways. Address of the Burshtyn TPP: 77111, Ukraine, Ivano-Frankivsk, village. Burshtyn Str. Central, building. 23.

Export of energy

In 1995, the program for the integration of a number of power plants in Western Ukraine into the EU-wide European energy system UCTE began. This is due to the excess capacity within the Ukrainian energy system and the desire to simplify the export of electricity. The association, consisting of Burshtyn TPP, Tereblya-Rikskaya HPP and Kalushskaya TPP, was named Burshtynsky energy center. His entry into the EU UCTE was held on 1.07.2002. In addition to Ukrainian consumers, electricity is supplied to residents of Hungary, Romania, Slovakia and other countries.

Environmental issues

Although the harmful emissions have decreased significantly in recent years, the Burshtyn TPP still remains the main culprit in the pollution in the region. Harmful to health are gaseous emissions, especially sulfurous anhydride. In 2008, 217,800 tons of unsafe substances fell into the atmosphere. Of them:

• 179700 tons of sulfur dioxide;
• 25300 t of solid particles;
• 11500 t of nitrogen dioxide;
• 1100 t of carbon monoxide.

Despite the ecological danger for surrounding settlements, TPP remains the main taxpayer of the district. Within the framework of improving the state of the environment, significant funds are allocated to the administration of Burshtyn. This money goes for the reconstruction of sewer networks, the purchase of equipment for communal workers, greening the streets and other environmental events that the city needs.

The environmental situation is constantly monitored by the factory environmental protection department. Significantly reduce the amount of harmful emissions allowed a large-scale replacement of electrostatic precipitators conducted at TPPs during the last eight years. In addition, at present the station operates at less than half its capacity, only 4-5 power units of the existing 12 are permanently involved.

Modernization

DTEK Zakhidenergo is implementing a step-by-step upgrade of the power units. In 2015-2016 at TPP all twelve production plants have been repaired. In 2015, about 400 million hryvnias were spent on repairs. However, the debt of the state-owned company "Energorynok" to the thermal power plant for the electricity produced in 2016 amounted to 1.1 billion hryvnia, which covers costs.

The last power unit repaired in 2015 was No. 7, it is already included in the power grid. Measures to restore the working capacity of the main and auxiliary equipment began on October 29, 2015. This power unit has been in operation for half a century. In 2012, it was reconstructed, a significant amount of work was done to replace the thermal and electrical equipment.

The need to repair the power unit No. 7 at this stage was due to the completion of work on the restoration of the design scheme of the Powersystems of the block. Performance of some works on equipment repair allowed to optimize the fuel mode of the boiler, which ensured the necessary capacity of the porous systems during the operation of power equipment in the winter.

The measures taken and the introduction of some changes in the technological process made it possible to abandon the use of expensive reserve fuel - gas and fuel oil. Starting from 2012 (from the moment of privatization), DTEK invested more than $ 180 million in upgrading and upgrading Burshtyn station equipment.

Protests

In February 2017, a strike took place at the Burshtyn TPP. This is the first time in the history of the station. The reason for this was unsatisfactory working conditions and extremely low salaries for the industry. Employees demanded to increase by one-third the payment of labor and return the previously lifted allowances.