The Ust-Khantayskaya hydropower plant in Norilsk, Russia has been recommissioned following an extensive modernisation project that saw the plant’s capacity increase to 511MW from 441MW.
The plant, operated by MMC Norilsk Nickel, reached its full capacity after the last of its seven hydroelectric units was replaced. This project was part of palladium and high-grade nickel producer Nornickel’s programme to revamp energy infrastructure and produce carbon-neutral metals.
“With the upgrade comes higher capacity and performance efficiency for the station, and what is even more important: better reliability of the whole plant and the region’s power grid,” commented Nikolay Shulginov, Russian Minister of Energy, who virtually attended the recommissioning ceremony for the project. “The team has worked in the harsh climate of the Arctic at a running facility. They had to use unique technology and equipment from domestic manufacturers.”
The modernisation project began back in 2012 and has seen all hydroelectric units fully replaced Nornickel has reconstructed the main generator hall and electrical shop, built a new compressor station, and introduced a new automated dispatch system. Investments in the modernisation of generating equipment totalled around RUB 7.5 billion.
