RusHydro launches new unit at Sayano-Shushenskaya HPP, two more due in 2012
ABAKAN. March 15 (Interfax) - RusHydro on March 15 commissioned a new generating unit at the Sayano-Shushenskaya hydroelectric power plant in Khakasia, which was destroyed in an accident in August 2009.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin, who turned the new unit on, told reporters another two turbines would be launched this year.
"The next unit will be commissioned by June 30. So three units will be commissioned in total in 2012 [including the one launched on March 15]," Sechin said.
Three more should go into service in 2013 and two in 2014.
In addition, Sechin said that an additional earthquake station for measuring seismic characteristics will be built in the region of Sayano-Shushenskaya HPP. Three earthquake stations now operate near the HPP. The HPP will also be installed with seismic detectors.
The Nos 6, 5, 4 and 3 turbines which suffered least in the accident were restored in 2010. The second phase of the plant's rehabilitation, which will see the installation of ten totally new turbines, began in 2011. The four that were restored in 2010 will also be replaced with new turbines. The first new turbine (No. 1) went into service in December last year and the second (No. 7) on March 15.
The new turbines have an enhanced service life of 40 years.