Turkey's Astor prioritises orders for Ukraine's electrical grid

Astor Enerji

03/11/2023 13:40

ISTANBUL, Nov 3 (Reuters) - Turkish transformer and
substation manufacturer Astor  ASTOR.IS  has prioritised Ukraine
as an export destination after Russian attacks scarred the
country's electrical infrastructure, its main shareholder said
on Friday.
    Nearly half of Ukraine's energy system was damaged by
Russian attacks last winter, when Moscow pummelled power plants
and transformers with cruise missiles and drones. 
    Much of the damage has been repaired and air defences have
been bolstered, though the threat of attacks on infrastructure
remains.
    "We put Ukraine first. In winter you can't do without
electricity. We've sent the first transformer and the rest is in
the production line," Feridun Gecgel, chairman and main
shareholder of Astor, said in a news conference in Istanbul.
    Astor, among Turkey's top transformer producers, secured $46
million of orders destined for Ukraine this year, making up
about a third of the company's export sales. 
    The company was contacted by Ukraine after Russian attacks
on the grid last year. 
    "Turkish grid equipment manufacturers held a meeting with
Ukrainians. Whatever they may need, will be procured and
delivered via Astor," Gecgel said.

 (Reporting by Can Sezer;
Editing by Daren Butler, Kirsten Donovan)
 ((can.sezer@tr.com; +90-212-350 7055; Reuters Messaging:
can.sezer.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))