Irganai Dam

Irganai Dam is a hydroelectric dam in the Untskul region of Dagestan, Russia. It is located on the river Avar Koisu.

Irganai Dam
Location of the Irganai Dam in Dagestan Irganai Dam (Russia)
Country	Dagestan, Russia
Location	Untskul region
Coordinates	42°44′42.72″N 46°49′53.76″E
Status	Operational
Construction began	1979
Opening date	1998
Owner(s)	RusHydro
Dam and spillways
Impounds	Avar Koisu
Height	111 m (364 ft)
Length	317 m (1,040 ft)
Reservoir
Creates	Irganai reservoir
Total capacity	705,000,000 m^3 (2.49×10^10 cu ft)
Surface area	18 km^2 (6.9 sq mi)
Power Station
Turbines	4 x 200 MW
Installed capacity	400 MW 800 MW (max. planned)
Annual generation	1,280 GWh

History

Construction of the dam and power station started in 1979. The first generation unit of the Irganai hydropower station was launched in 1998.[1] The second generation unit was launched in 2001.

Technical description

The dam is 111 metres (364 ft) high and 317 metres (1,040 ft) long at the crest. It is filled of gravel with asphalt-concrete diaphragm. The complex includes tunnel spillway, intake structure, two diversion tunnels 5.2 kilometres (3.2 mi) each, underground surge tanks, steel-reinforced concrete penstocks, and a powerhouse.[1]

Irganai is the largest derivational hydroelectric power station in Russia, with two radial-axial hydraulic units with a capacity of 200 MW each.[2] The power station has a total installed capacity of 400 megawatts (MW) and projected capacity of 800 MW.[1][3] Its mean annual electric energy output is 1,280 GWh.

The dam creates the Irganai reservoir. The reservoir has a surface area of 18 km² (6.9 sq mi). Its full capacity is 705,000,000 cubic metres (2.49×10¹⁰ cu ft) and alive storage capacity is 397,000,000 cubic metres (1.40×10¹⁰ cu ft).[1]

The dam and power station is projected by Lenhydroproject and operated by RusHydro.

Incidents

On 7 September 2010, fire broke out at power station's hall. On 9 September 2010, Russian security forces defused an explosive device equivalent to 3 kilograms (6.6 lb) of trinitrotoluene in the room.[4][5] On 31 January 2011, a stick of dynamite was discovered at the power station.[6]

References

1. "Fire at Irganay HPP". Hydroproject. 2010-09-08. Archived from the original on 2011-10-03. Retrieved 2011-01-31.
2. "Bomb found following fire in hydroelectric plant in Russia's Dagestan". RIA Novosti. 2010-09-09. Retrieved 2011-01-31.
3. "Fire breaks out at hydropower plant in Russia's Dagestan". HydroWorld. PennWell Corporation. ITAR-TASS. 2010-09-08. Archived from the original on 2011-07-12. Retrieved 2010-09-08.
4. "Explosive device found, defused at hydropower plant in Russia". HydroWorld. PennWell Corporation. 2010-09-09. Retrieved 2011-01-31.
5. "Bomb blast prevented at Irganai Dam". Voice of Russia. 2010-09-09. Retrieved 2011-01-31.
6. "Dynamite found at power plant in Russia's Dagestan". RIA Novosti. 2011-01-31. Retrieved 2011-01-31.

External links