Program for the development of energy based on renewables Any renewable energy sources specified in Article 3 of Federal Law No. 35-FZ On Electric Power Industry dated March 26, 2003, excluding HPPs with an installed capacity of over 30 MW

Using renewables is a top priority for RusHydro Group, which keeps ramping up installed capacities by building new HPPs and commissioning new power generation facilities.

RusHydro was among the first in Russia to start developing projects relying on geothermal, solar and wind power generation. One of RusHydro Group’s objectives for 2016–2020 with an outlook until 2025 is to improve energy efficiency by using alternative energy sources. Most of the projects are implemented in isolated energy hubs of the Far Eastern Federal District outside of the Unified Energy System.

Solar and wind power in isolated energy hubs

Since 2012, RusHydro Group has launched 19 solar power plantsIncluding the WPP in Tiksi, which is under pre-commissioning. with a total capacity of 1.6 MW and four wind power plants with a total capacity of 3.6 MW.

Given the local specifics, none of the projects are standard by design, the 1 MW northernmost SPP in Batagay is not an exception. Our R&D specialists have designed a prototype wind diesel and solar diesel power stations and tested a range of equipment, including energy storage units, all to be used in isolated energy hubs of the Far Eastern Federal District.

Commissioned in November 2018, a unique 900 kW wind power plant in Tiksi, an isolated polar settlement in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), generates green power for over 4,500 residents. This facility ensures a more stable power supply in Tiksi and makes Yakutia’s Bulunsky District less dependent on expensive diesel fuel deliveries – expected to shrink by 500 tonnes in annual terms. Its three unique turbines were designed to operate in an Arctic climate at temperatures as low as -50ºC and withstand winds of up to 70 m/s. Manufactured by Japan’s Komaihaltec, each turbine is 41.5 m high and has 33 m blades. In 2019, RusHydro will continue working to build a diesel power plant equipped with three 3 MW diesel generators and an energy storage system. Once the project is completed, all these systems will be integrated into a single power generation complex.

Smaller HPPs

RusHydro is active in developing smaller HPPs, which are vital for remote, hard-to-reach and power-deficient areas as well as for local water supply to towns and settlements. These plants are sustainable and provide additional benefits, including the opportunity to store drinking water for future use. In Russia, smaller HPPs are defined as those with a capacity of 30 MW or less (as per GOST R51238-98). They are built on rivers as well as on lake spillways, irrigation channels, etc.

2018 saw the commissioning of a 1.26 MW SHPP on the Bolshoy Zelenchuk River.