Semey hydroelectric power station on the Irtysh is planned to be built in five years

The construction of Semey hydroelectric power station (Semipalatinsk hydroelectric power station) on the cross-border Irtysh River will increase the electric maneuverable capacity in the unified power grid of Kazakhstan by 300 MW, and the generation of the hydroelectric power station itself will amount to 1.2 billion kWh per year. This was reported by JSC “Samruk-Energo” in response to a request from a Kazinform correspondent.

Semey HPP will also increase the regulatory capacity of the Shulba HPP to 500 MW. As explained in Samruk-Energo, this will allow the transfer of the Shulbinskaya HPP to the mode of covering the peak and half-peak part of the electric load schedules of the unified electric grid.

The generated energy will be supplied to the unified electric grid of Kazakhstan.

Samruk-Energo also replied that they had not yet decided on a contractor who would build a new HPP.

“At the moment we are at the stage of developing project documentation. There is no information about potential contractors, as the choice of contractors will be carried out after completion of all stages of design and approval of design solutions,” the company explained.

During the five years of the proposed construction of Semey HPP (Semipalatinsk HPP), 2,100 jobs will be created, Samruk-Energo JSC said.

As explained in the company, construction and installation personnel will be involved in the work.

At the same time, during the operation of HPP Families, the total number of industrial and production personnel will be slightly more than 120 people.

The company also stressed that the HPP does not entail any risks associated with changes in the water regime downstream of the Irtysh. Moreover, the station stabilizes the water regime of the river basin by creating a reservoir that will equalize the uneven releases of the Shulba hydroelectric power station.

Recall, according to the plan of the Ministry of National Economy of Kazakhstan, the launch of the Semipalatinsk HPP is planned in 2029.