February 4, Vitebsk /Olga Bogacheva - BELTA/. Major works at the Vitebsk Hydroelectric Power Plant construction site will commence in May, Ivan Pugachev, Head of the Construction Department of the Vitebsk HPP Branch of Vitebsk Electric Networks of RUP "Vitebskenergo", informed a BELTA correspondent.
According to him, the construction of the main access road to the hydro-engineering complex, approximately 2 km in length, has been completed at the site. This road runs along the right bank of the Western Dvina from the Ruby side through Bukatino and will remain after the HPP construction is finished. The construction of the workers' settlement, which includes dormitories, a canteen, and production facilities, has also been completed. The construction of the diversion channel is in its final stage. Water from the Western Dvina riverbed will be redirected through this channel after the upper and lower sections are blocked by earth dams.
Furthermore, contracts for the design of the hydro-engineering complex have been signed with RUP "BelNipiEnergoprom", and for the construction project of the reservoir basin with RUP "Belgiprovodkhoz". Regarding the latter, Ivan Pugachev noted that documentation will be issued in stages to prevent work delays.
Overall, the project implementation is slightly behind schedule, partly due to the winter period. However, China National Electric Engineering Corporation (CNEEC), with which a turnkey contract for the construction of the Vitebsk HPP has been signed, guarantees the facility's commissioning within the established timeframe – by early 2017, the source emphasized.
The facility's cost exceeds $100 million. The Vitebsk HPP will have a power output of 40 MW, which will provide electricity to one-third of the Vitebsk region. Around 800 construction workers from China will be involved in its construction starting this spring. In accordance with the contract, Belarusian enterprises and construction materials must be involved in the construction to the extent of 30% of its cost. The customer, RUP "Vitebskenergo", oversees this aspect.
In line with the Concept of Energy Security of the Republic of Belarus until 2020, a cascade of four hydroelectric power plants is planned on the Western Dvina: Polotsk, Vitebsk, Beshenkovichi, and Verkhnedvinsk. Their total installed capacity will be 125-130 MW. Contracts for the construction of the Beshenkovichi and Verkhnedvinsk HPPs have been signed with a Turkish company, which will own these facilities for 30 years. After this period, the hydroelectric power plants will become the property of Belarus.-0-