Irkutsk HPP: construction, history, photo

Irkutsk HPP is the first and largest hydroelectric power station built on the Angara. It laid the foundation for the formation of a whole energy complex. Difficulties in its construction helped to acquire a truly invaluable experience.

Prehistory

I must say that the natural wealth of Siberia (in particular, the area where Angara flows) has always been of interest to researchers in pre-revolutionary Russia. However, the work carried out at that time concerned mainly minerals.

Serious research on hydropower began to be carried out only in 1924-1925. The first time about the all-Union significance of the reserves, which the Angara possesses, was stated by the engineer V.M. Malyshev. Just at this time, the GOELRO plan was revised. It was during the First Five-Year Plan that complex work was planned to investigate the potential of this river in order to organize the largest energy-industrial base in Eastern Siberia, which was extremely necessary for rapidly developing production.

Research and design work

About 20 million rubles have been allocated for the study of Siberian lands in the Angara region. Then this problem became economic. But in spite of the allotted allocations, complex investigations on the river began to be carried out only in 1930. At the same time a special institute was created under the name of the Office for the Study of the Angara Problem. A year later, it was renamed the Angara Bureau, which became part of the Hydroenergoproekt Trust.

The group of researchers, led by Professor Malyshev, in 1935 completed the first stage of work on the river. As a result, a scheme was developed for the operation of its upper section, the project of the Irkutsk hydro installation, as well as the plan of a whole complex of enterprises that will consume this energy. A year later, all materials submitted by the group Malyshev, were considered by representatives of the State Planning Committee of the USSR. As a result, the commission made a decision to build six hydroelectric power stations on the Angara River, which would represent a continuous cascade, the first on this list was the Irkutsk hydroelectric power station (photo).

Building

In 1948 this hydroelectric power plant was included in the title list of the Gidroenergoproekt trust in the section of design and survey works. The chief engineer of the construction was GN Sukhanov, and the architects were VV Letavin and PM Stalin. In 1949, the hydroelectric project was approved, and at the beginning of the next year the government of the USSR adopted the final decision on the construction of the first hydroelectric power station in the Irkutsk region.

A month later the builders arrived at the place of the future dam. For its construction, a separate construction and installation department was specially organized under the name "Angaragesstroy". In accordance with the project of the hydrosystem, it was necessary to build both temporary and auxiliary facilities, as well as enterprises, the volume of which was to be 312 thousand m³.

In addition, according to the plan, construction workers needed to provide a residential area of 90 thousand m², buildings of household and cultural orientation with a volume of 135 thousand m³. All these buildings needed a sewer and water main with a length of 63 km. Do not forget about the railways and roads.

The head of the "Angaragesstroi" was appointed AE Bochkin, and the chief engineer was S. N. Moiseev. Under the guidance of the experienced and competent hydraulics of AA Melnikonis, the Irkutsk dam was erected. He became an all-union construction. Graduates from all over the country came here. They actively participated in the organization of construction, so many of them became rather large coordinators.

Difficulties in erecting

Irkutsk HPP, the construction of which was given very hard, became the first part of a cascade of six hydroelectric power plants. The fact is that before it to implement such projects have not yet happened. Therefore, during the construction process, many difficulties arose. It was necessary to build a gravel-sand dam, the length of which was 2.5 km, as well as the building of the HPP itself, which was a reinforced concrete building of 240 m in length. It was necessary to assemble eight units with a total capacity of 660 thousand kW.

Irkutsk HPP, consisting of a dam constructed of sand and gravel, and a building combined with it, was designed for the first time. In addition, such huge embankments were not yet in the world practice. It should be noted that the hydroelectric power plant was erected in a seismically hazardous zone (up to 8 points on the Richter scale), and sand and gravel were the ideal building material in such difficult conditions. At the time of a possible earthquake, they must come into motion and compact.

As it turned out, the crystal clear water of the Angara River required concrete of special quality. In the early summer of 1954, a memorial plate was laid at the base of the future hydroelectric power station. It was the beginning of the installation of concrete. In addition, the Irkutsk hydroelectric power station, the construction of which was already difficult, was built on the river with a rather rapid current and in extremely harsh climatic conditions.

Dangerous situation

In the beginning of 1953 the flood began suddenly on the Angara, which became almost the most difficult test for hydro-builders. The fact is that on the eve of the new year severe frosts struck, the river was covered with ice, but a strong current broke it and huge blocks rushed down, creating congestion. Soon the water began to rise quickly and flow through the dam. As a result, the Irkutsk HPP, whose construction history knows and so many difficulties, was threatened with flooding.

For the pumping of water, all the available pumps were used. If at least one of them at that time broke down, it would lead to complete flooding. Engineers and mechanics for almost three days did not leave the foundation pit, and at that time workers were building jumper bars. The continuous flow of cars loaded with gravel already made it difficult to drive along partially flooded roads. The builders in the icy clothes leveled the rock and filled it with water, creating impenetrable barriers. In the end, heroic efforts of people still managed to defend the pit and avoid huge losses.

Running

At the beginning of July 1956 the Angara River was blocked, and its waters were sent through the still completed building of the hydroelectric power station. On December 29 of the same year, 82 months after the construction began, one of its units was connected to the network. After 2 days, I gave the current and the second. In 1958, two more units were commissioned. After that, the Irkutsk HPP began to operate at full capacity.

It should be noted that the reservoir of the hydroelectric power station was filled for 7 years. During this period the pressure from the dam reached Lake Baikal, so its level increased by 1.4 m. Now the valley of the Angara River has become the Baykal Bay, and the great lake has turned into the main regulating part of the Irkutsk Reservoir.

Some numbers

Irkutsk hydroelectric power station, the history of which has been counted for more than half a century, is a part of the unified system of Central Siberia. For its construction and operation it was necessary to flood 138 thousand hectares of land, which previously had about 200 settlements, as well as sections of the automobile and railroads. About 17 thousand people were moved to other areas. At the moment, Irkutsk HPP produces electricity, the prices for which are considered to be the lowest in Russia.