Coronavirus epidemic has demonstrated the professionalism of Kazakhstani specialists in energetics and showed high mobilization capabilities of the industry, even despite the existing deterioration of equipment. 

11 confirmed cases of COVID-19 were recorded at enterprises of Ekibastuz energy complex of Samruk-Energy JSC during the state of emergency period.  By this time, 2 employees have recovered, and 272 employees are in home quarantine. This information refers to Bogatyr Komir LLP, Nurzhanov Ekibastuz GRES-1 LLP and Station Ekibastuz GRES-2 JSC.

Today, all generating, transmitting and distributing companies of electric power holding Samruk-Energy JSC work in a routine mode and fulfill the relevant obligations towards the consumers on electric power supply and coal shipment in full volume. Volume of generated electric power by power plants of Samruk-Energy JSC has amounted to 4 984 109 ths.kW, and volume of col distribution has amounted to 9 462 590 tons of coal during the period of state of emergency from March to May 11, 2020. GRES-1, GRES-2 and APS have provided heat supply to consumers of over 1 mln. Gcal.

The best efforts for prevention of coronavirus disease have been taken at power enterprises during the state of emergency period and in current quarantine conditions.  At the same time, energy specialists have ensured operation of plants in a routine mode for complete fulfillment of tasks of power supply, heat supply and hot water supply for consumers. Today we may say that energy workers have decently worked during the quarantine.

Over 6500 people work at the largest coal mining company Bogatyr Komir. 251 employees were in home quarantine during the period of state of emergency. Due to accurate operations of miners, coal production and shipment have been made in a routine mode.   Employees, who may work at home, have been directed for distance working.  Additional 16 buses have been engaged for safe transportation to the workplace.

For provision of working process continuity at Ekibastuz GRES-2, leave periods have been granted for 12,4% employees in risk group for home isolation; in connection with a lack of personnel and absence of employees for temporary replacement, plant shift supervisors, and some employees of electrical shop and by-product recovery shop have been transferred to three-shift working mode (seven days a week); critical sites and equipment, requiring continuous maintenance, have been determined; briefings on repair issues have been transferred to distance mode.

Ekibastuz GRES-1 has developed and implemented activities for protection of health of employees, and "Comprehensive plan of sanitary and epidemiological responses" has been implemented. At the present time, 90 people are in quarantine. Lack of personnel has not affected the capacity of power plant and work schedule. The situation has not affected the technological process. Production volume are provided as per schedules of the National Electric Power System Control Center of the Grid Operator KEGOC JSC.

Some number of employees of Almaty Power Stations JSC (APS), generating company of Samruk-Energy JSC, live outside the city. Employees have been directed for distance working within one day. Issues of accommodation for employees, directly engaged into production and repair works, and living outside the city, have been resolved. The Company has reimbursed such costs for accommodation. Trade union has concluded about 200 contracts with landlords on the basis of applications of employees during the quarantine period with the issue of funds as per expenditure vouchers.

AlmatyEnergoSbyt LLP, which is responsible for uninterrupted power supply for Almaty and Almaty region and maintenance of consumers in part of payments for electrical power, fulfills its obligations in a routine mode. Consumers have not suffered shortage of electrical power. Work is carried out in a quarantine mode with observance of all safety requirements.

Reference:

Samruk-Energy JSC is the largest electric power holding company in Kazakhstan, 100% shares of which belongs to SWF Samruk-Kazyna JSC. Established in 2007. Main activities: production of electric and heating energy; transmission, distribution and sale of electrical power; production of power generating coal. The Holding includes energy and coal enterprises, including Ekibastuz GRES-1 LLP, Station Ekibastuz GRES-2 JSC, Bogatyr Komir LLP, Almaty Power Stations JSC, Moynak HPP JSC, Shardarinsk HPP JSC, etc.