Journalists visited the world's northernmost underground HPP

In anticipation of the 55th anniversary of the world's northernmost underground hydro power plant, Borisoglebskaya HPP of TGC-1, a press tour was held for journalists from Moscow and Murmansk Oblast.

The participants visited the machine hall, built in the rock at a depth of 50 metres, inspected the plant's equipment, and learned about the Borisoglebsky settlement where energy workers live.

Borisoglebskaya HPP is part of the Paz HPPs Cascade of TGC-1 and located in the border area, as the border between Russia and Norway lies along the dam of the power facility.

“Such location dictates the nature of operations. Borisoglebskaya HPP generates power for both Russian and Norwegian energy systems,” said Nikolay Vorobiev, Head of the Paz HPPs Cascade of TGC-1.

The HPP's equipment is constantly updated. Recently, non-brush field excitation systems of the hydroelectric generating units have been commissioned, which comply with the modern requirements for speed, reliability and sustainability of the HPP's operations. New AIMEMS and SO systems provided the Company with the opportunity to receive accurate and timely results on the generation parameters to control electricity output and optimise the HPP's load modes. In addition, Borisoglebskaya HPP is equipped with a system of constant control of whipping of hydroelectric generating units, which improved the plant's efficiency. Speed regulators have been renovated allowing to maintain accurate frequency and assigned power capacity.

Reference

The Paz HPPs Cascade of TGC-1 combines five hydro power plants: Kaitakoski, Yaniskoski, Rayakoski, Hevoskoski and Borisoglebskaya HPP. All the plants operate automatically and are managed from the control point of Rayakoski HPP. The Paz Cascade allows for electricity export to Norway and Finland. The HPP's total installed capacity is 187.6 MW.

TGC-1 is the leading producer of electricity and heat in the North-West of Russia. It comprises 53 power plants in four constituent entities of the Russian Federation: St. Petersburg, the Republic of Karelia, and Leningrad and Murmansk Oblasts.