On September 5, Polotsk district /Olga Bogacheva - BELTA/. The cost of the Polotsk HPP project will exceed $140 million. This was announced today to journalists by Vladimir Pitalenko, Deputy General Director for Capital Construction of RUP "Vitebskenergo", as reported by a BELTA correspondent. This volume of investment includes the cost of the HPP hydro-unit ($99.8 million), as well as the electrical power output and the reservoir bed. In total, according to the Concept of Energy Security of Belarus until 2020, the creation of a cascade of four hydroelectric power stations is planned on the Western Dvina: Polotsk, Vitebsk, Beshenkovichi, and Verkhnedvinsk. Their total installed capacity will be 125-130 MW. A contract for the construction of the Vitebsk HPP, which is scheduled for commissioning in 2017, has been concluded with a Chinese company. "To date, surveys have been carried out, and design work is underway. The project is planned to be submitted for expert review in October," noted Vladimir Pitalenko. He also emphasized that only after receiving the project will the necessity of land withdrawal from agricultural circulation and private landholdings located at the site of the future HPP become clearer. "This issue is not yet determined, but this measure will be minimal in nature," said Vladimir Pitalenko. Contracts for the construction of the Beshenkovichi and Verkhnedvinsk HPPs have been concluded with a Turkish company, which will own these facilities for 30 years. After this period, the hydroelectric power stations will become the property of Belarus. -0-

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