Kentucky company in partnership with Ukrainian electric company (10/27/96)

Kentucky company in partnership with Ukrainian electric company

by Albert H. Skeath

WASHINGTON - The Kentucky Utilities Co., with headquarters in Lexington, Ky., signed a cooperative agreement with Dniproenergo back in July, signaling the start of an energy industry partnership program under the sponsorship of the U.S. Energy Association (USEA) and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

Under this agreement a series of executive exchange visits, internship programs, advisory missions and seminars will be conducted to assist the personnel at Dniproenergo to gain an understanding of market economy concepts and U.S. business practices in the electric energy sector.

Topics will include organizational structure, investor relations, securities, employee benefit programs, strategic planning, contract administration, procurement policies, maintenance systems and other management areas.

Kentucky Utilities Co. will benefit by gaining an understanding of international opportunities and by management development of its employees on international relationships.

Both companies volunteer their time, use of facilities and access to information at no cost to the program. The USEA, through its contract with USAID, provides funding for all travel, lodging, meals, interpretation and out-of-pocket expenses.

This is the third such partnership between U.S. electric companies and counterparts in Ukraine. The first was between Kyivenergo and Pennsylvania Power and Light Co. (PP&L) based in Allentown, Pa. During the past three years, 36 officials from Kyivenergo have visited PP&L, while 12 managers have been to Kyiv to conduct management seminars. Topics have included a wide angle of management areas.

The second partnership is between Otter Tail Power Co. of Fergus Falls, Minn., and Krymenergo of Symferopil. Several exchange visits and a management seminar have been conducted under these partnerships.

These partnerships will provide Ukrainian energy officials with direct access to U.S. managers and enable Ukrainians to gain an understanding of electric utility operations under market economy concepts.

Albert H. Skeath is deputy program manager of the U.S. Energy Association.