Russian power firm RusHydro and China Three Gorges Corporation (CTG) are considering establishing a JV for the operation of the 320MW Nizhne-Bureyskaya hydropower plant in Russia's Far East.
The firms signed an agreement late last week that will see them further investigate the JV opportunity, as well as considering the development of flood-control hydropower plants on tributaries of the Amur river in Russia.
Technical, economical and legal due diligence will now be carried out to determine the economic efficiency of the Nizhne-Bureyskaya project with a view to establishing the JV to finalize construction and operate the facility.
Construction of the project on the Bureya River has been in progress since 2010. In addition to power generation, once complete the hydro plant will help regulate uneven spills in the tailrace of the Bureyskaya hydropower plant and help to prevent flooding of adjacent towns and local communities.
As of beginning of 2015, 60% of concrete from the project volumes have been poured into the main facilities. Installation of embedded fittings of turbines and floodgates has begun. During 2015, construction of the spillway dam and the turbine building will continue and construction of the switchyard will begin. Installation of hydropower units and hydromechanical equipment will also enter the active phase. Significant volume of preparatory work for damming the Bureya river are also planned for 2015-2016, with the damming scheduled for March 2016.
