Construction Halts at Krasnogorsk Dam on the Irtysh River

Main construction works at the Krasnogorsk hydroelectric hub on the transboundary Irtysh River in the Omsk region have been suspended once again. The Moscow-based contractor MezhRegionStroy has placed its workers on administrative leave. Only duty personnel remain on site to maintain the dewatering system. The continuous pumping of groundwater is currently the sole measure preventing the flooding of the foundation pit and the existing concrete structures in the riverbed.

The latest halt to the large-scale hydrotechnical project – which was previously abandoned from 2015 to 2022 – stems from documentation errors. The contractor was required to update the outdated design concerning the intervention in the river ecosystem, but the revised calculations failed to pass the state expert review. The documents have been submitted for re-examination, and conducting construction and installation work on the water remains illegal until regulatory approval is secured.

There are currently no plans to mothball the unfinished site. The existing contract remains active, with the dam estimated to be 44 percent complete. The first stage of construction is scheduled for completion by November 1, 2026. Prolonged delays in building such facilities pose significant environmental and engineering risks, including the potential degradation of unfinished concrete exposed to moisture and the erosion of the Irtysh shoreline.

The suspension of construction coincides with emerging labor disputes. In March, workers at the hydroelectric hub reported facing months of unpaid wages. An official inquiry regarding the outstanding employee compensation has been issued to the management of MezhRegionStroy. While the company has specialized in constructing industrial facilities since 2009, its involvement in completing the Omsk hydroelectric hub has led to stalled operations and ongoing personnel conflicts.