Irkutsk Hydroelectric Power Station is the very first and largest hydroelectric power station built on the Angara. She laid the foundation for the formation of a whole energy complex. Difficulties in its construction helped to gain a truly invaluable experience.
Background
I must say that the natural wealth of Siberia (in particular, the area where the Angara flows) has always been of interest to researchers of pre-revolutionary Russia. However, the work carried out at that time dealt mainly with minerals.
Serious studies regarding hydropower began to be carried out only in 1924-1925. For the first time on the all-Union significance of reserves held by the Angara, said engineer V.M. Malyshev. Just at that time, the GOELRO plan was being revised. It was during the years of the first five-year plan that it was planned to carry out comprehensive work to study the potential of this river with the aim of organizing the largest energy industrial base in Eastern Siberia, which was urgently needed for rapidly developing production.
Research and design work
About 20 million rubles were allocated for the study of Siberian lands in the Angara region. Then this problem became the national economic one. But despite the allocated appropriations, comprehensive research on the river began to be carried out only in 1930. Then a special institute was created under the name of the Office for the Study of the Angara problem. A year later, it was renamed the Angara Bureau, which became part of the Hydroenergoproekt trust.
A group of researchers led by Professor Malyshev completed the first stage of work on the river in 1935. As a result, a scheme was developed for operating its upper section, a project for the Irkutsk hydraulic installation, as well as a plan for a whole complex of enterprises that will consume this energy. A year later, all the materials presented by the Malyshev group were reviewed by representatives of the USSR State Planning Commission. As a result, the commission made a decision on the construction of six hydroelectric power stations on the Angara River, which will be a continuous cascade, the first on this list was the Irkutsk hydroelectric station (photo).
Construction
In 1948, this hydroelectric power station was included in the title list of the Hydroenergoproekt trust in the design and survey work section. G.N. Sukhanov became the chief engineer of construction, and V.V. Letavin and P.M. Stalin became architects. In 1949, the hydroelectric project was approved, and at the beginning of next year, the USSR government made the final decision on the construction of the first hydroelectric station in the Irkutsk region.
A month later, builders arrived at the site of the future dam. For its construction, a separate construction and assembly department was specially organized under the name Angaragesstroy. In accordance with the design of the waterworks, it was necessary to build both temporary and auxiliary facilities, as well as enterprises, the volume of which was to be 312 thousand m³.
In addition, according to the plan, it was necessary to provide construction personnel with a living area of 90 thousand m², residential and cultural buildings with a volume of 135 thousand m³. All these buildings needed a sewer and water main with a length of 63 km. They did not forget about railways and roads.
A. Ye. Bochkin was appointed the head of Angaragesstroy, and S. N. Moiseev was appointed chief engineer. Under the guidance of an experienced and competent hydraulic engineer A. A. Melnikonis, the Irkutsk Dam was erected. HPP has become an all-Union construction site. Graduates from all over the country came here. They actively participated in the organization of construction, therefore, by its completion many of them became quite large coordinators.
Construction difficulties
The Irkutsk Hydroelectric Power Station, the construction of which was very difficult, became the first part of the cascade of six hydroelectric power stations. The fact is that before her it was not necessary to carry out similar projects. Therefore, during the construction a lot of difficulties arose. It was necessary to build a gravel and sand dam, the length of which was 2.5 km, as well as the combined building of the hydroelectric station itself, which was a reinforced concrete structure 240 m long. It was necessary to assemble eight units with a total capacity of 660 thousand kW.
The Irkutsk Hydroelectric Power Station, consisting of a dam built of sand and gravel, and a building combined with it, was designed for the first time. In addition, such huge embankments did not exist in world practice. It is worth noting that the hydroelectric power station was built in a seismically dangerous zone (up to 8 on the Richter scale), and sand and gravel were the ideal building material in such difficult conditions. At the time of a possible earthquake, they should move and condense.
As it turned out, the crystal clear water of the Angara River required concrete of special quality. In the early summer of 1954, a commemorative plate was laid at the base of the future hydroelectric power station building. It was she who began the laying of concrete. In addition, the Irkutsk Hydroelectric Power Station, the construction of which was already difficult, was erected on a frozen river with a fairly rapid course and in extremely harsh climatic conditions.
Dangerous situation
At the beginning of 1953, a flood suddenly began on the Angara River, which became almost the most difficult test for hydro builders. The fact is that on the eve of the new year, severe frosts hit, the river covered with ice, but a strong current broke it and huge boulders rushed down, creating congestion. Soon, the water began to rise quickly and overflow through the dam. As a result of this, the Irkutsk Hydroelectric Power Station, whose construction history knows many difficulties already, was in danger of flooding.
To pump water, all available pumps were used. If at least one of them had failed at that moment, this would have led to complete flooding. For almost three days the motorists and locksmiths did not leave the foundation pit, and at that time the workers were building jumpers. A continuous stream of cars loaded with gravel, already with difficulty passed through partially flooded roads. Builders in icy clothes leveled the breed and poured water over it, creating impenetrable barriers. In the end, through heroic efforts, people nevertheless managed to defend the foundation pit and avoid huge losses.
Launch
At the beginning of July 1956, the Angara River was closed, and its waters were directed through the still under construction building of the hydroelectric power station. On December 29 of the same year, 82 months after the start of construction, one of its units was connected to the network. After 2 days, he gave a current and a second. In 1958, two more units were commissioned. After that, the Irkutsk hydroelectric station began to work at full capacity.
I must say that the reservoir of hydroelectric power was filled for 7 years. During this period of time, the backwater from the dam reached Baikal, so its level increased by 1.4 m. Now the Angara river valley has become the Baikal Bay, and the great lake has turned into the main regulatory part of the Irkutsk reservoir.
Some numbers
The Irkutsk Hydroelectric Power Station, whose history has been going on for more than half a century, is part of the unified system of Central Siberia. For its construction and operation, it was necessary to flood 138 thousand hectares of land, on which there were previously about 200 settlements, as well as sections of the road and railways. About 17 thousand people were relocated to other areas. Currently, the Irkutsk Hydroelectric Power Station generates electricity, the prices of which are considered the lowest in Russia.