The general contractor handed over the Vitebsk HPP for maintenance to the energy workers

During the ceremony, Deputy Chairman of the regional executive committee Vladimir Belous noted that the commissioning of the Vitebsk HPP a year ago made a significant contribution to the development of small-scale energy in Belarus and the involvement of renewable energy sources in the country's energy balance.

"The hydroelectric power station has become the most powerful in Belarus. Its hydro unit includes four turbines with a total capacity of 40 megawatts. The design annual electricity generation allows it to supply all consumers in the Vitebsk region. More than ten design, construction, and installation organizations were involved in the project implementation. Thanks to the Vitebsk HPP, the country's energy system saves more than 40 thousand tons of conventional fuel annually. However, its construction is not the first experience of cooperation with Chinese companies in the energy sector. In 2014, the ninth combined cycle power unit was launched at the Lukomlskaya GRES, which was built by the China National Machinery Corporation," said Vladimir Belous.

According to him, cooperation with Chinese partners continues in the field of housing construction - four residential buildings with 276 apartments are currently being erected in Vitebsk, Lepel, Polotsk, and Novopolotsk. Companies from the Celestial Empire have modernized the Orsha Flax Mill. In the first half of 2018, Chinese firms presented investment proposals for the construction of large dairy farms, feed mills, meat processing plants, and tourist complexes.

In a conversation with journalists, the General Director of RUP "Vitebskenergo" Mikhail Luzin added that from today, the station is fully operated by Belarusian specialists. Nevertheless, there is an agreement that if problems arise, the Chinese side is ready to help solve them. It is also planned to hold tenders in the future, and if the price suits the Belarusian side, then post-warranty service will be provided.

оказывать партнеры из Поднебесной.

"The contract included a one-year warranty period. During this time, together with our Chinese colleagues, we learned how to work in winter conditions and during floods. Our partners have fulfilled all their obligations, and today we have signed the certificate of contract completion," said Mikhail Luzin.

Zhang Yanfei, President of the Chinese company CNEEC, thanked the Belarusian energy workers, various organizations for their cooperation, and the Chinese Embassy in Belarus for their support. He assured that all work was performed with high quality.

The solemn ceremony of closing the contract for the construction of the Vitebsk HPP concluded with the handover of a commemorative key to the Belarusian side from the Chinese side.

The construction of the hydroelectric power station lasted 5 years. RUP "Vitebskenergo" began the implementation of the investment project in 2012. The general contractor for the construction was China National Electric Engineering Corporation (CNEEC). The construction of the Vitebsk HPP included three stages: the hydro-node, the reservoir bed, and power output. The cost of the investment project was $189 million, of which $50 million was spent on the construction of the navigation lock. The operation of the new hydroelectric power station allows for a reduction in the consumption of imported natural gas.

The total number of employees working at the HPP is 29 people, ten of whom are personnel ensuring round-the-clock duty. Belarusian energy workers adopted experience from their colleagues from the Celestial Empire.

The projected annual electricity generation of the Vitebsk HPP is 138 million kWh. In the year that has passed since commissioning, the station has generated over 164 million kWh. This is primarily due to weather conditions that provided good water inflow to the Western Dvina.

BELTA.