In late February, in Voronezh unknown persons broke in 110 kV substation # 47 to steal non-ferrous metals. Employees of IDGC of Centre — Voronezhenergo division managed to detain one of the criminals and thus to prevent major blackouts in Left Bank district of the city.
Once the control panel of Voronezhenergo’s Grid Control Centre received a signal about penetration of the substation representatives of security and a first responding crew went to the field. In the substation building the power engineers found offenders, disassembling reserve 10 kV bays. Voronezhenergo’s employees managed to detain one criminal and promptly to bring to the police, the second fled the crime scene.
According to Deputy Director for Technical Issues — Chief Engineer of IDGC of Centre — Voronezhenergo division Sergey Demidov, the branch is proud of its employees who showed not only professionalism, but also real courage. He also stressed that the theft at energy facilities are of particular concern, since damage to the equipment poses a real threat to the reliability of power supply both industrial customers and the region’s residential ones. «Also, breaking in power facilities, perpetrators not only violate the law, but also run the risk of their own health and life,» underlined Sergey Demidov.
For prompt actions and dedication the staff of Voronezhenergo will have letters of thanks from the management of the branch and cash bonus.