Irkutsk HPP

The Irkutsk Hydroelectric Power Plant (HPP) is one of the oldest and largest power plants in Eastern Siberia. It is located on the Angara River within the city limits of Irkutsk, the capital of eponymous Region.

The construction of the plant began in 1950. The first hydroelectric unit was launched in 1956. On October 24, 1959, the State Commission officially greenlit the Irkutsk hydroelectric power plant to go into full-time operation. It was the first major hydroelectric power plant on the Angara River, built to supply electricity to the rapidly growing industrial facilities in the region.

Main parameters:

• Installed power capacity: 763.5 MW
• Average annual output: 3,917.5 million kWh
• Dam height: 44 metres
• Dam length: 2,500 metres
• Hydroelectric unit count: 8

The Irkutsk HPP is a key asset in ensuring the power supply for the Irkutsk region and its neighbours. It is part of a chain of hydropower plants on the Angara River. The chain also includes the Bratsk, Ust-Ilimsk and Boguchanskaya HPPs. The system allows the river's water resources to be effectively used for power generation.

In 2024, Phase I of modernisation at the Irkutsk HPP under the New Energy Programme was completed. As such, the main equipment at hydroelectric units Nos. 1, 2, 7 and 8 was replaced. The retrofitting of the last hydroelectric unit No. 8 was completed in a record time, in just 335 days. Thanks to this effort, the capacity of four hydroelectric units has increased from 82.8 MW to 107.5 MW each. The equipment has also become more efficient.

Starting from 2023, En+, in collaboration with the general designer and hydroturbine equipment manufacturers, is preparing for Phase II of modernisation at the Irkutsk HPP. This phase includes the replacement of hydroelectric power units Nos. 3, 4, 5 and 6.

The New Energy Programme is a major initiative to overhaul and replace key components at four of En+'s largest hydroelectric power plants: Krasnoyarsk, Bratsk, Irkutsk and Ust-Ilimsk. The total amount of investment in the programme is RUB 21 billion.