Former Head of Ukrenergo Dies in Electrical Accident at Company Substation.

Tragedy Strikes the Energy Sector

According to TSN.ua: Oleksiy Brekht, the former acting chairman of the board of Ukraine's National Power Company 'Ukrenergo,' has died from an electric shock at one of the company's substations. The fatal incident occurred while he was performing his professional duties, marking a profound loss for Ukraine's energy community. This event underscores the ever-present hazards faced by power industry professionals.

Brekht served as the acting head of Ukrenergo's board from September 5, 2024, until June 30, 2025. He was a graduate of the Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, where he specialized in electrical power stations. His career in the energy sector began in 1999 at the Kyiv Pumped Storage Power Plant, and from 2011 to 2016, he held several senior management positions within the company.

Worker Safety in the Power Industry

This tragic event is not an isolated incident within Ukraine's energy sector. Other recent fatalities include:

• A 60-year-old electrician who died while working in Kyiv on January 19, 2024.
• Two emergency crew electricians whose deaths were attributed by official Kucherenko to systemic overwork and strain.

These cases highlight the inherent dangers of working in the power industry and the critical need for robust worker safety protocols.

Brekht's death has caused significant concern among energy sector professionals, where occupational safety remains a paramount issue. Such incidents call into question the effectiveness of existing safety measures and point to an urgent need for reforms in training, workload management, and workplace conditions to prevent future tragedies.