Environmental protection

Preserving the environmental balance is the key factor for sustainable development of DTEK’s businesses.

The Company is conducting ongoing work to improve environmental conditions in the regions where it is present and protect the environment for future generations. We take every effort to minimize the impact caused by DTEK’s industrial facilities on the environment. These steps are in full accordance with Ukraine’s efforts to follow European trends in environmental protection.

The Company has introduced and is now using the up-to-date Environmental Management System in compliance with the ISO 14001:2004 international standard at all of its enterprises.

As part of the Environmental Management System, DTEK adopted the Environmental Protection Policy. The document sets out the Company’s strategic goals and obligations to the society. Policy implementation and environmental protection management takes place on all the levels of the Company’s corporate center and its enterprises. 
 
In mid-term perspective DTEK plans to increase the amount of electricity output by means of constructing and commissioning renewable energy facilities, namely, environmentally friendly wind farms.

DTEK's strategic goal is to improve environmental safety and increase assets capitalization by establishing reliable and environmentally friendly production cycle. 

In accordance with the Environmental Protection Policy the Company carries out the following environmental activities:
 

Air Protection

Protecting air quality is a priority area for DTEK’s environmental work. In particular, the Company focuses on thermal power plants (TPPs) flue gas emissions treatment, mainly dust, sulphur and nitrogen oxides. To fulfill the task of emission reduction the Company is implementing the long-term investment program aimed at bringing environmental parameters of the enterprises into compliance with the provisions of the Large Combustion Plant Directive (2001/80/EC). As part of a large-scale programme to refurbish TPP’s equipment, Vostokenergo has already implemented numerous environmental protection measures, such as modernization and replacement of electrostatic precipitators (ESPs) and rehabilitation of flue-gas treatment equipment at TPPS.

Gross emissions for 2007–2010, th. tons :

One of the most promising areas for DTEK in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are joint implementation projects under the Kyoto Protocol. The projects to reduce emissions are being implemented at Luganskaya, Kurakhovskaya and Zuevskaya TPPs, as well as at DTEK Mine Komosomolets Donbassa, where a degasification complex is being built and worksare underway to utilize coal mine methane.

Alongside with significant reduction of harmful emissions, these projects provide for additional financial advantages through the sale of GHG emission reduction units at the carbon market. 

Protection and Rational Use of Water Resources 

DTEK enterprises operate in regions where water supplies are a major issue. The Company pays particular attention to the protection and rational use of water resources. The main objective is to reduce the amount of water used for production and household needs. Within the period from 2007 through 2010, the amount of water that the Company used for household purposes decreased by 5,415,000 m³ as a result of the measures undertaken. 

Waste Treatment 

The majority of waste (99.9%) produced by DTEK enterprises is harmless. However, its disposal requires unoccupied land and reduces its commercial use. The main bulk waste type at the coal enterprises is rock and coal sludge, the amount of which directly depends on the amount and quality of coal mined and enriched. Coal-fired power generation enterprises produce flyash and bottom ash.

All wastes having some resource value (used mercury containing lamps, oil products, accumulator batteries, waste paper and rubber, etc.) are transferred to the specialized enterprises for recycling.

One of the most perspective ways to reduce the dangerous waste output by DTEK enterprises is the gradual substitution of hazardous materials with less dangerous ones. 

Land Reclamation 

DTEK has large coal reserves under the floodplain of the Samara River and its tributaries. Coal production in such conditions involves settling the land surface, flooding and water-logging. Therefore, the Company pays particular attention to rational land use and land resources protection.

The key measures undertaken by DTEK to mitigate the negative consequences of mining processes in the Samara River floodplain are as follows:

• filling the subsided land with rock and covering in with the fertile soil. By using this method most of the mines of Pavlogradugol and Pavlogradskaya Coal Enrichment Plant managed to avoid creating waste dumps;
• using drainage systems to protect forests and agricultural lands from flooding.

Alongside with land reclamation, DTEK enterprises re-plant forests as well.