The cost of the first stage of anti-drone protection facilities of high-voltage equipment of NPC Ukrenergo is UAH 100-130 million (excluding VAT) of international donor funds, the company said.

"The cost of the vast majority of the first stage of anti-drone protection facilities of high-voltage equipment varies in the range from UAH 100 to 130 million (excluding VAT)," the company said on its website on Monday.

It is noted that the construction of the first stage of protection is being finalized directly by Ukrenergo at 41 facilities, and at another 22 facilities – by the State Agency for Restoration and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine.

Ukrenergo assures that protective structures have already been built at most of its substations.

At the same time, it is noted the financing of the anti-drone protection project is fully provided by international financial organizations – IBRD, EIB, EBRD and KfW.

"Not a single hryvnia from the Ukrainian budget was spent on the construction of protective structures," Ukrenergo said.

As specified, at present, based on the results of the development of design and estimate documentation, the process of amending the contracts for the construction of the first stage is underway, reflecting all the requirements of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the State Emergency Service.

The cost of construction differs for each facility, since it takes into account the new requirements of the General Staff and the State Emergency Service for structures approved during construction, electrical parts and other related work. In the event of additional requirements of the General Staff and the State Emergency Service, the cost of some structures may change, Ukrenergo said.

The company also announced the estimated cost of the main materials, which form 50-60% of the cost of all materials used for the construction of structures and similar for all shelters, specifying that current prices are lower than the starting prices. According to the information provided, in particular, concrete of various modifications cost UAH 3,012 to UAH 4,583 per cubic meter (here and below with delivery, excluding VAT), metal structures UAH 73,794 to UAH 87,762 per tonne, galvanized steel rope from UAH 99,000 to UAH 10,1708 per tonne. The wages of workers at the construction site are UAH 24,100. Ukrenergo explains that protective reinforced concrete structures can withstand a direct hit from Shahed UAVs – the most dangerous for high-voltage network facilities, and also protect equipment from missile debris. According to her calculations, without protective structures, the damage as a result of Russian drone strikes on transmission system facilities would have been five to six times greater.

"This complex technical project has been implemented only at Ukrenergo high-voltage substations. Ukraine is the first country in the world to invent a comprehensive solution for physical protection against UAV strikes," the company said.