INSTALLED CAPACITY OF THE SARATOV HPP REACHED 1463 MW
8 april 2024
The installed capacity of the Saratov HPP increased by 6 MW and reached 1463 MW. This became possible as a result of the modernization of hydraulic unit No. 1 as part of implementing the Program of Complex Modernization (PCM) of RusHydro hydro power plants.
The generators of all hydraulic units and 19 hydraulic turbines out of 24 have now been completely replaced at the Saratov HPP. Now, work continues at the station to update the turbines on hydraulic units Nos 11 and 15; installation work is carried out by specialists from JSC Gidroremont-VKK (a subsidiary of RusHydro) and JSC Tyazhmash.
In addition to the replacement of the main generating equipment, measures are implemented to ensure the delivery of increased power from hydraulic units to the energy system. After work completion, the capacity of the Saratov HPP will increase to 1499 MW, or by 10% of the initial capacity of the station. This is comparable to the introduction of two additional hydraulic units. The modernized hydraulic units meet all modern environmental requirements and are characterized by enhanced reliability.
RusHydro is implementing the Program of Complex Modernization of hydropower facilities, which plans to replace half of the turbines, generators and transformers at its HPPs and PSHPs. Such a large-scale program of upgrading obsolete and worn-out equipment is unique and unprecedented for the domestic power industry. It is distinguished by a focus not on selective replacement of individual units and assemblies, but on a complex modernization of hydropower generation facilities as single technological systems with the replacement or upgrade of the main and auxiliary equipment, common plant service systems and hydraulic structures.
Over 12 years of the PCM, the increase in the installed capacity of RusHydro’s hydropower plants amounted to 619 MW, which can be compared to another large HPP added to the energy holding. 135 hydro turbines, 123 generators, 95 power transformers and over 10,000 units of auxiliary equipment have been replaced or modernized over this time.
