Let there be light!

And now let's fast forward from St. Petersburg of the XX century to the XXI century at UMP. Not everyone knows, but our enterprise is also a power transmission organization. Therefore, the Power Engineer's Day is a professional holiday for many Ulba residents! The plant has a department of the chief power engineer (CPE) and an power center (PC). To get acquainted with their activities, we met with Evgeny Efimov, the chief power engineer of UMP JSC.

– Evgeny Konstantinovich, we congratulate you on the holiday! Please, tell us about the UMP power transmission activities.

– Our enterprise, in addition to production, has another important task – the transfer of energy resources to third-party consumers. A large number of different enterprises are located near the UMP and on the territory of the plant. The largest of them are the Kazakhstan Mint, Mashzavod LLP and Ulba-FA LLP. Historically, all these organizations were connected to the plant's power grids, and today our grids are the only source of energy for them.

Thus, in accordance with the current legislation, the plant received the status of an energy transmission organization. This, of course, adds to our hassle. There are new requirements for the formation of reporting, coordination and approval of tariffs, the level of interaction with state regulatory bodies, the system operator, energy supply and transmission organizations has changed. Nevertheless, such activities are very important because their goal is to provide reliable energy supplies to our neighbors.

CPE and PC specialists are successfully fulfilling the requirements concerning us as an energy transmission organization, and taking this opportunity, I want to thank everyone who participates in this work.

– What else is your work and the work of your colleagues?

– It is no secret that no modern industrial enterprise can exist and produce quality products without reliable and economical energy. Therefore, the main task of the power engineers of the plant is reliable, uninterrupted and economical provision of units with all types of energy resources, communication services and the safe operation of power equipment and networks contributing to this.

It is difficult to overestimate the work of power engineers at our plant. So, the functions of the CPE include the purchase of energy carriers and communication services at the most favorable tariffs, the search and implementation of opportunities to reduce the costs of these services. A number of important tasks have been set before the PC and the energy services of the divisions, where the CPE is also directly involved. These are scheduled repairs of power equipment and networks, prompt troubleshooting, preparation of power equipment and networks for operation in the autumn-winter period. Also, power engineers are engaged in the design and maintenance of technical documentation, accounting for consumed energy resources, carry out measures to save energy and improve energy efficiency, take part in the implementation of investment programs. The energy divisions are also actively involved in the implementation and operation of projects that are significant for the company. Today it is LoTo and SAP system. However, this is only part of our work!

– Do you often encounter non-standard situations in your work?

– It happens! I recall one case when, as a power transmission organization, we had to resolve a conflict between two consumers. A third-party organization was connected to our power net, from which, in turn, another one was powered, which wanted to illegally take over the power grids first and conclude an agreement with UMP JSC. Realizing all the consequences of such a «good deal», we were forced to react accordingly. I had to restrict the transmission of electricity to these enterprises and act as arbiters. We received requests, complaints, threats. Fortunately, everything went well. This case once again showed the high level of competence of our employees and the ability to make the right decisions in non-standard situations.

– Working with electricity is dangerous, but in everyday life people often get injured when they try to fix something on their own. As an experienced professional, what would you recommend?

– There is a humorous phrase that our person begins to read the operating instructions when he has already broken something. But seriously speaking, to ensure safe work, first of all, it is necessary to strictly comply with the requirements of the rules, instructions and other regulatory and technical documents, to use electrical protective equipment and means of blocking dangerous energy sources, and not to make rash decisions. You must always remember the danger of electric shock and do not forget that all work related to electricity should only be performed by trained personnel. Oh, and the formula «if you do not know how to do safely – do not do» in the energy sector is the main, since the consequences of such actions can be very sad.

– Evgeny Konstantinovich, do you have a motto?

– To achieve a goal, you must first of all go towards it. I am guided by this simple rule both in work and in life.

– What would you like to wish your fellow power engineers?

– Despite the fact that this year has been difficult for all, he concludes, and I hope will be completed for us – power engineering – safely. During the year, there were no serious incidents, production is provided with all energy resources in the required volumes, a number of important planned activities have been carried out, and this, I believe, is the merit of the entire energy service team of UMP JSC.

Dear colleagues, I congratulate you on your professional holiday! I wish you, first of all, good health, prosperity, trouble-free and safe work, patience, success and good mood!

Evgeny Efimov has been with UMP JSC since 2006. He started working in an electrical repair shop (now PC). In 2012, he was transferred to the OGE as an engineer. In 2014 he became deputy, and in 2017 – chief power engineer.