"On autonomous power for a week". What is the "plan B" of stores and pharmacies in case of long blackouts

In Kyiv pharmacies Plantain is installing diesel heaters, Novus is preparing to limit its product range to the basic one with full blackout, and Varus has organized energy service teams. How ukrainian retail changes business processes through long disconnection. And what is Plan B for working in the absence of electricity for two to three days?Tamara Tysyachna asked representatives of the largest supermarket chains – ATB, Silpo, Novus, EcoMarket, Varus, Eva, Metro, and Podorozhnyk pharmacies.Everything is powered by generators – permanent and alternating All networks surveyed LIGA.netwe have equipped our outlets with generators. The only interruptions in the stores' operations are due to technical reasons. For example, generators need to be refueled or repaired if they break down.The largest supermarket chain ATB, which has 1319 stores, is fully equipped with stationary diesel power plants, the company's press service said.If there is light for at least part of the day, running generators costs ATB UAH 2.5 million, which is about 30,000 of fuel. In extreme conditions, diesel consumption increases. For example, on January 12-13, during severe frosts, the network used 74,000 liters of fuel.In addition, ATB has 16 mobile diesel power stations that are used when needed. The station can operate continuously for up to six hours, after which it takes an hour to refuel, the retailer's press service says.Read alsoHow banks will work in a blackout. Scenarios from Sense Bank, Oschadbank, and OTPA separate replacement generator stock has also been created in the Varus and Eva networks. They are used to replace those that have failed. The Varus network has on-call service teams that respond to technical malfunctions. Arctic winter diesel fuel is used to ensure stable operation of the generators in cold weather."Cases of fuel freezing are isolated and not systemic," the Varus press service says.Silpo has sufficient stocks of goods, and the supply of products is going on as usual, the company assures. However, due to the low temperature, equipment in some stores may break down.More than 2,300 pharmacies of the Podorozhnyk chain are provided with alternative power sources, the company says. These include generators, inverters, and the company's own hybrid solar power plants. The company purchases more powerful generators for pharmacies in regions where the power supply situation is most difficult."This margin of safety is enough to comply with the storage conditions of the medicines and remain in operation," says Podorozhnyk.Read alsoNot just generators. What small business owners do to keep their businesses running despite long blackoutsThe company will install diesel heaters in pharmacies with electric heating. First of all, pharmacies in Kyiv and Kyiv region will receive them.The main thing is to ensure the operation of refrigeratorsDuring prolonged power outages, the main task of supermarkets is to keep their refrigerators and freezers running to preserve food. In cold weather, these systems consume more energy, and the load on energy resources increases.Varus applies a priority power consumption mode: this equipment is supplied with electricity first. Other areas of the store come second.Large generators power the refrigeration equipment and ensure that the cold chain is maintained in Metro shopping centers."This is one of the key principles of the HACCP food safety system, which allows us to maintain uninterrupted operation of shopping malls during scheduled and emergency power outages," says Oleksandr Sikora, Head of Maintenance and Operations at Metro Ukraine.Novus has generators with a total capacity of 33.72 MW. This is enough to ensure critical processes: the operation of cash registers, refrigeration and freezing equipment, basic lighting, bakeries and cooking. The company has also stockpiled 168 tons of diesel."This allows it to operate on autonomous power for a week in the event of massive outages," Novus notes.Read also"We survived in '22, we will survive now". How Chernihiv region's business operates during hours-long blackoutsAfter the previous blackouts, we reviewed internal processes, the approach to backup power supply and scenarios in the EcoMarket network, says Denys Pogorelov, Deputy CEO for Retail Network Management. The stores have set up automatic systems for switching to generators. This allows us to respond quickly to outages and maintain stable operation.What to do in case of a complete blackoutIn the event of a complete blackout for several days, the Varus network has developed a separate scenario. It includes regular maintenance and refueling of generators, the company says.No temporary closures of outlets are planned, however, they warn that there may be work stoppages of 30-40 minutes. They are part of standard procedures to maintain stable operation of the equipment.Novus also has a scenario for working during a long-term blackout. The chain's action plan includes prioritizing critical stores and areas, operating in a limited load mode, strict cold chain management, etc. If necessary, the company will adjust the assortment to basic categories, focusing on essential goods and products that it produces itself."We prepare for difficult scenarios in advance, make unpopular but correct decisions, and build a model that allows the network to operate for a long time," the company says.The Eva network has charging stations in reserve. They are designed for stores in shopping centers where it is impossible to install their own generator. In cases when the store cannot operate from a generator or charging station, sellers will be able to sell goods using data terminals, a special mobile application.Read alsoWill we be able to buy food, medicine and shampoo? How retail chains have prepared for winterHowever, in the event of a complete blackout for a long period, there is no universal solution – too many external factors affect the work of retailers, warns Denys Pogorelov, Deputy CEO for Management of the EcoMarket retail chain. The company is discussing and working on various options for action in case the situation worsens. Priority is given to the continuity of store operations, staff safety and product quality

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