Russia’s biggest and most powerful hydropower stations as they are.
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Votkinskaya Hydropower Station is located at the river Kama in the Perm region and is one of the main systemic stations of power supply in Ural. Its construction lasted for 10 years and finished in 1965. The power of the station is about 1020 megawatt provided by 10 rotary-blade hydroelectric generators.
Pressure buildings form Votkinsky Reservoir the square of which is 1120 square kilometers and it’s 28 meters deep.
The decision to build Votkisnkaya Hydropower Station was made in the hardest times, just after the Second World War when the industry needed proper power supply.
The huge construction project resulted in development of the working village and in 1962 it became a town.
In 1961 the first foundation pit was flooded and the riverbed was blocked, the first 2 generators were put into operation.
Creation of a hydroelectric complex and a regular reservoir in this area is an example of a versatile usage of water resources to satisfy the needs of various areas of economy.
And this is one is called Saratovskaya Hydropower Station, which is located at the river Volga. When building it (in 1951-1971) the engineers used high tech: for example the biggest in the world rotary-blade turbines were constructed.
More than 20000 people took part in the construction process. At 14:55 there was a symbolic explosion informing that the foundation pit had begun to flood.
These are the shipping locks to keep navigation in this area of Volga. This is a picture of a diesel-electric ship called Lenin.
In 1967 there was a competition between this project site and the Krasnoyarsk one. The goal was to overfulfil the plan and put 4 instead of 2 generators into the operation by November.
The generators of Saratovskaya Hydropower station were unique, they were slow-speed and and massive.
The machine hall is so extensive that the workers use bicycles as their transport.
Being so pretty and laconic this hall got the name of Volga’s 7th Pearl.
The 24 hydroelectric generators are the heart of the station.
This is the model of the plant presented in the museum.
Local joke
Another transport means to move around the plant.
That’s AMAZING!
Where are the people? Are they eating lunch? Taking the afternoon nap? Having a sexual relation in the bathroom?
Cooooooool!
Good to see something that is operational and not in wasteful ruins.
tipcal american opinion about the russian economy, why is it so – CNN? Hollywood?
Change your mind…
Wow, this is a great post. Thank You.
Truly stunning design, it does not look very functional at first sight but when one realises what power do they operate with, it is a marvel. I wonder whether these hydropower stations have any problems with such extreme temperatures as they have to deal with when situated in Perm region.
It’s always nice to see something fresh, clear and in good condition in the Motherland
Definitely one of the better ways to generate electricity.