How power engineers worked under the conditions of COVID-19 quarantine

How power engineers worked under the conditions of COVID-19 quarantine

The coronavirus epidemic demonstrated the professionalism of Kazakhstani power engineers and showed high mobilization capabilities of the sector, even despite the wear and tear on the equipment.

11 confirmed cases of CVI were reported at the entities of “Samruk-Energy” JSC Ekibastuz energy complex during the state of emergency. As of today, 2 employees have recovered, 272 people are in home quarantine.  This refers to “Bogatyr Komir” LLP, “Ekibastuz SDPP-1 named after Nurzhanov” LLP and “Ekibastuz SDPP-2 Plant” JSC.

Today, all “Samruk-Energy” JSC power holding company’s generating, transmission and distribution companies operate as normal and fully perform their obligations to consumers regarding the supply of electricity and coal shipment. During the state of emergency, from March - May 11, 2020, the amount of electricity generated by “Samruk-Energy” JSC power plants amounted to 4 984 109 thous. kW, the volume of coal sold over the same period was 9 462 590 tons of coal. SDPP-1, SDPP-2 and APP supplied over 1 mln.Gcal of heat to consumers.

Energy enterprises have made every effort possible to prevent the spread of coronavirus infection during the state of emergency and ongoing quarantine conditions. At the same time, the power engineers ensured the operation of power plants as usual in order to fully fulfill the tasks of providing consumers with electricity, heat and hot water. Today we can say that power engineers honorably went through the quarantine.

“Bogatyr Komir” LLP, the largest coal-mining enterprise, employs more than 6500 people. During the state of emergency, 251 employees were at home quarantine. Thanks to clear actions of miners, coal mining and shipment took place as usual. Employees, who can perform their job responsibilities at home, were shifted to remote work. Additional 16 buses were involved for safe delivery to the workplace.  

At Ekibastuz SDPP-2, to ensure the continuity of the work process, 12,4% of employees who are at risk, were granted leaves for isolating them at home; due to the lack of staff and the absence of workers for temporary replacement, the shift supervisors, as well as part of the employees of the electric shop and the chemical shop, were transferred to a three-shift operation mode (seven days a week); critical areas and equipment that require ongoing maintenance by staff were identified, daily repair briefings have been transferred to remote mode.

At Ekibastuz SDPP-1, actions to ensure the protection of employees' life and health have been developed and are taken, and a “Comprehensive Plan of sanitary and anti-epidemic measures” have been put into effect. To date, 90 people are in quarantine. The lack of staff did not affect the capacity of the power plant and operating schedule. The situation did not affect the technological process. Production volumes comply with schedules of “KEGOK” JSC SO NDC.

Part of employees of “Almaty Power Plants” JSC (APP), the generating company of “Samruk-Energy” JSC Almaty energy complex, live outside the city. Employees were shifted to remote work within one day. The company decided to provide the staff who is directly engaged in manufacturing and repair works, but lives outside the metropolis, with accommodation in the city. It also reimbursed their housing costs. In total, during the quarantine period, on the basis of workers' requests, the company’s trade union concluded about 200 agreements with landlords and provided funds according to payment slips.

For reference:

“Samruk-Energy” JSC is the largest power holding company in Kazakhstan, 100% owned by “Samruk-Kazyna” SWF JSC. It was established in 2007. Core business: electricity and heat production; transmission, distribution and sale of electricity, power coal mining. The holding company comprises energy and coal enterprises, including “Ekibastuz SDPP-1” LLP, “Ekibastuz SDPP-2 Plant” JSC, “Bogatyr Komir” LLP, “Almaty Power Plants” JSC, “Moynak Hydropower Plant named after U.D. Kantayev” JSC, “Shardarinsk HPP” JSC, etc.

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Government Relations and Communications Office of “Samruk-Energy” JSC.

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