Energy sustainability begins with engineering solutions and responsibility for results

From large-scale industrial projects to the restoration of critical infrastructure, the company operates at the intersection of engineering expertise and the country’s energy security. Dmytro Kolchik, Director of PJSC “ELAKS,” spoke with the Energy Club media department about the company’s participation in critically important projects, engineering approaches to improving system reliability, and his vision of business’s role in the sector’s transformation.

— “ELAKS” is an engineering company with over 30 years of experience in power supply, automation, and integrated engineering solutions. Over these years, we have passed through various stages of development, but we have always remained a company that works with responsibility for the result, — emphasized Dmytro Kolchik. — Today, the company is active in the energy and critical infrastructure segments, implementing comprehensive repair, reconstruction, and restoration projects for energy systems for state facilities and industrial enterprises in Ukraine — from design to installation and commissioning with subsequent maintenance.

— Mr. Kolchik, which projects or solutions have been the most successful or significant for you?

— First and foremost, I should mention the comprehensive emergency recovery works at thermal power plants across Ukraine, completed within extremely tight deadlines. Within these projects, ELAKS provided a full cycle of work — from design to our own production and supply of distribution cabinets, relay protection and automation cabinets, server and auxiliary systems, as well as their integration into existing energy facilities.

Another important direction of our work was participating in the construction of the second main water pipeline. At the same time, it should be noted that ELAKS also participated in the implementation of the first Khortytsia (DVS-2) — Tomakivka — Marhanets water pipeline, which allowed us to use the accumulated experience and ensure the continuity of technical solutions.

As part of the second water pipeline project to Mykolaiv, the ELAKS team implemented automation and power supply systems for pumping stations, including control and dispatch systems, as well as the construction of 0.4 kV power supply systems necessary for the stable and uninterrupted operation of the facility.

Separately, I would like to highlight the completion of a full cycle of works on commissioning a 150 kV substation, which significantly increased the reliability, controllability, and safety of the facility’s operation.

— On which development areas do you plan to focus your main efforts over the next few years?

— In the next 1–3 years, ELAKS will focus on the restoration and modernization of energy facilities and critical infrastructure in Ukraine, including thermal generation, heating systems, water supply, and sanitation. Our priority is “turnkey” comprehensive solutions that combine automation, power supply, controlled drives, and digital control systems.

In parallel, we plan to develop our own engineering and installation competencies, invest in team training, and expand production capabilities to reduce dependence on subcontractors and ensure consistent work quality.

A separate focus is on solutions to increase the autonomy and energy efficiency of facilities, including backup power, cogeneration units, and energy storage systems. Another important direction will be the development of digital services, dispatching, and analytics, which allow customers to make data-driven decisions in real-time.

— Why did you choose Energy Club as a platform for cooperation?

— We view Energy Club as a professional environment for exchanging real practices. The decisive factors for us were the combination of participants’ high expertise, the focus on practical engineering solutions, and the opportunity to form a common business position amidst the deep transformation of the energy sector.

Being part of a community that works with real critical infrastructure objects, exchanges proven approaches, and promotes the implementation of solutions that can be realized within short timeframes is vital.

— Did you have experience interacting with Club members before joining? How would you evaluate it?

— Yes, we already had experience interacting with individual member companies of the Club within joint projects, tender procedures, and industry events. These are usually long-term partnerships with both customers and solution providers.

In particular, cooperation occurred with companies such as DTEK, Epicentr, Vector-VS, and other market representatives. We highly value this format of interaction and expect that within Energy Club, these contacts will not only be maintained but also significantly expanded, transforming into new joint initiatives and projects.

— What, in your opinion, can Club membership give your company from a practical standpoint?

— Primarily, it is access to the live experience of colleagues, discussion of solutions that actually work in practice, and the possibility of forming partnerships for joint projects. For us, what matters is not formal presence, but applied utility and a real exchange of experience.

— What topics or industry issues would you like to raise and discuss in a professional environment?

— First of all, the issues of restoration and modernization of energy and critical infrastructure facilities. In addition, important topics for discussion include increasing facility autonomy, energy efficiency, integration of digital control and dispatch systems, and the exchange of real experience between market participants.

— How does ELAKS plan to integrate into the Club’s activities — through participation in events, initiating projects, or other formats?

— We are open to participating in events, working groups, and joint initiatives, especially those related to technical expertise, energy restoration, and modernization.

— Which formats of interaction are most valuable to you — knowledge exchange, searching for partners, consolidating the market position, or analytical support?

— The most valuable for us are the exchange of practical experience, searching for partners for comprehensive solutions, and joint work on industry approaches and standards.

— How can business contribute to improving energy reliability in current conditions, and what role does your company play in this?

— Business should be not just an executor, but a source of engineering solutions, an initiator of changes, and a bearer of responsibility for quality and reliability. For ELAKS, this means taking on complex projects and bringing them to completion.

— What steps or joint projects of Energy Club could bring the greatest benefit to the sector in the near future?

— Participation in technical forums, roundtables, and panel discussions with international experts. Such a format allows not only for the exchange of current experience but also for the integration of the world’s best practices into Ukrainian conditions, taking into account the specifics of energy operations in crisis and wartime circumstances.

A significant effect could come from participating in the development and discussion of regulatory initiatives that affect the standards of restoration, modernization, and operation of energy infrastructure. A coordinated business position will allow these standards to be more realistic, technically sound, and suitable for practical implementation.

— What would you like to say or wish to your colleagues at Energy Club and potential partners?

— Open dialogue, practical cooperation, and a focus on real results. This is what the energy sector needs most today.

In current conditions, it is critically important for the energy industry to move from isolated solutions to systematic cooperation and long-term planning. The experience of recent years has shown that energy resilience is formed not only by technology but also by the level of coordination between business, the expert community, and the state.

The extensive practical experience of PJSC “ELAKS” in implementing integrated engineering solutions and restoring critical infrastructure complements the expert potential of the Energy Club community with practical technical competence. The company’s focus on results, development of engineering capabilities, and partnership interaction reflects the approach that today builds the resilience of the energy sector — through coordination of efforts, exchange of experience, and long-term planning. It is this cooperation that allows the transition from individual projects to the systemic solutions necessary for the modernization and reliable functioning of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.