Last summer, the Russian Ministry of Energy signed a state contract for the construction of an energy bridge in the Crimea. The contract price amounted to 47.302 billion rubles. It is a bridge complex of cable-overhead power lines and substations. It is needed to connect the Crimean energy system to the UES of Russia. It was supposed to finish construction in 2018. However, to date, these dates have been postponed to 2016.
Gasket Features
The Rostov NPP was chosen as the main connection point for such an important facility for the state economy as the energy bridge in the Crimea. The construction of the bridge is carried out in several stages. The final point is the city of Simferopol. For reliability, several parallel power lines will be stretched to the Crimea. The most expensive is the Rostov-Taman section. It was built last. One of the sites stretched along the bottom of the Kerch Bay. To the substation “Vysheteblevskaya”, the operating voltage of the power transmission line is 220-500 kV. Next is the 220 kV line.
Bridge start
A new power line was put into operation in December 2015. On the second day, Crimea began to receive electricity from Russia. The constructed bridge became a real gift for residents of the peninsula after the power block by Ukraine on New Year's Eve. On November 22, 2015, as a result of the sabotage carried out by nationalists on the Kakhovskaya-Ostrovskaya and Kakhovskaya-Dzhankoy lines, many areas of the Crimea were completely de-energized. Two days earlier, the pillars of the Melitopol-Dzhankoy and Kakhovskaya-Titan lines were also blown up. It was not possible to restore the supports, since the militants of the Right Sector blocked the approaches to them.
At the opening of the transmission line was attended, among others, by Russian President V. Putin. An event was held in the building of Krymenergo. With the launch of the bridge, the energy dependence of the Crimea from Ukraine completely disappeared.
Currently, electricity is transmitted to the peninsula through two finished lines of power lines, built in record time. In addition, the construction of an energy bridge in Crimea in the second stage - the third and fourth lines - is in full swing. Judging by media reports, the work is carried out on schedule and in full compliance with the deadlines set by the President of the Russian Federation. The second phase of the bridge is expected to be launched in April-May 2016.
Interesting fact
During the preparation for the construction of an energy bridge on the Crimean peninsula, archaeological excavations were carried out on the territory of its location. As a result, scientists discovered a fifth-century amphora BC. It can be considered interesting that the vessel found was filled with nothing more than oil. Such amphoras have been found on the peninsula before. However, they were attributed to a later time.
As can be judged by the chronicles, in ancient times, oil was used for lighting. It was filled with lamps instead of oil. Sometimes oil was used in flamethrowing guns. In addition, she treated skin diseases in livestock. The territory on which the amphora was found was transferred to the builders of the power transmission line in November last year (the area of the settlement of Illichivka).
First of all
Of course, the inhabitants of the peninsula, and many Russians are interested in the question of how the construction of the energy bridge in the Crimea is being conducted. At present, this new part of Russia receives about 450 mW of power on two lines. Unfortunately, such volumes cover only the minimum electricity needs of the Crimean industry and its population. For comparison: in the last three years in the winter period, the peninsula consumed 1200-1290 kW of power. Therefore, the issue of reliable supply of electricity to Crimea is still relevant. In this regard, it is encouraging that the construction of the second stage is on schedule.
Plot in the Kerch Strait
In order to minimize the time required to build the bridge, Russia turned to many countries for help. However, it was rejected everywhere in connection with the sanctions initiated by the USA. Only the Chinese agreed to support the construction of an energy bridge in Crimea. Cable laying along the bottom of the Kerch Strait was carried out by two vessels. From the first trench was carried out. Workers from the second vessel laid the cable accordingly. Due to acts of sabotage, the construction of the bridge had to be accelerated. But the leading gaskets of the company did not disappoint, and the Crimeans celebrated the New Year in the light of lamps, not candles.
The underwater passage includes four lines of 4 cables each. Moreover, three of them are working (for each phase) and one backup. A passage has been laid in the north of the strait. The depth in the trenches is 2.5 m, the distance between the cables is 10 m. The total length of the passage is 13,480 m.
Initially, it was planned to build an energy bridge in the Crimea through the Kerch Strait not under water. The option of laying an overhead line was considered. However, this project was not adopted. The reasons were too much upcoming work, lengthy construction and the unreliability of such a line. Also, the project of an overhead power line had to be abandoned due to the high cost of its maintenance and obstacles to navigation.
The second phase of the bridge
With the launch of the third and fourth power transmission lines, 800 kW of power will be supplied to the peninsula. As a result, Crimea will gain complete non-volatility. In anticipation of the new holiday season, this, of course, cannot but rejoice. Currently, various types of energy facilities are being actively built on the peninsula, designed to transfer current directly to consumers.
To date, in connection with the work on the construction of the second stage of power lines, the power of the transmitted stream is periodically reduced. This has practically no effect on consumers of the peninsula. But power outages do happen.
The main elements of the bridge
The complexity of the laying and execution scheme is what primarily characterizes the energy bridge in the Crimea. Its construction is carried out in stages. Ultimately, the power line from Kuban to Crimea included the following main sections:
The line from Rostov NPP to Taman "Rostov - Vyshesteblievskaya" with a length of 500 km
The line "Kuban - Vyshesteblievskaya". Its length is 175.7 km, capacity - 1665 MVA.
Two cable-air lines in two chains: Taman-Kafa and Taman-Kamysh-Burunskaya.
Power line Cafe - Simferopol.
All of these lines in aggregate represent the energy bridge to the Crimea. The construction (photos confirm this) of this facility is really widespread. At the first stage, the main connection point for the Crimea line was the Taman substation.
Also, the Kuban Substation will be built. On the peninsula, the connection points are:
Costs
Thus, at the moment, the main solution to the Crimean problem with electricity is the energy bridge in the Crimea. Its construction, however, is quite expensive. In total, according to preliminary estimates, about 47-49 billion rubles will be spent on the development of a project to provide Crimea with electricity. At the same time, about 14 billion was allocated for the construction of the bridge. As of March 2016, the contracting companies fit into the initially set financing parameters.
Unfortunately, Russia has the opportunity to cover only a small fraction of the cost of construction. Under the current agreement, Ukrinterenergo, which disrupted the supply of electricity to the peninsula, is required to pay a fine for the collapse of collateral. Its size is 20% of the supplied capacity. According to existing tariffs, the final amount of the fine will not exceed 12 million rubles.
Contractor
How the construction of the energy bridge in the Crimea is going on is understandable. The pace of laying a new power line was significantly accelerated. Who is responsible for the implementation of this project? Initially, four companies volunteered to build an energy bridge across the Kerch Strait . Subsequently, applications of JSC Hydroelektromontazh and JSC GlobalElectroService were rejected because they did not meet the requirements of the tender. As a result, there were two applicants for the construction: the Technopromexport company (owned by Rostec) and the Stroytransgaz owned by G. Timchenko. Bidding between them was carried out in increments of 5.5 million rubles. As a result, there remained the only general contractor for laying such an important facility as the energy bridge in the Crimea. Who will build this power line, decided to bid. Technopromexport was selected as a contractor.
New CHP in Crimea
Of course, the construction of an energy bridge in the Crimea will solve most of its energy problems. However, it should be understood that this measure is temporary. To fully and reliably meet the peninsula's electricity needs, it is necessary to develop its own network.
Since the end of 2015, the construction of two new TPPs has been ongoing in Crimea. Their total capacity will be 980 MW. One of them is being built in Simferopol, the other in Sevastopol. It is assumed that the power provided by the bridge and the new CHPPs will cover the electricity needs of Crimea with interest. Each of the two new power plants will have 2 power units. The projects of these facilities involve the use of the latest equipment and latest technologies. Both stations will have a very high efficiency. The construction of these important facilities in Crimea is expected to be completed in 2018.
Prospects for the development of Crimean energy
The construction of an energy bridge in the Crimea through the Kerch Strait and a thermal power plant will solve the main problem of providing the peninsula with electricity. However, in addition to these facilities, it is planned to build several more small power plants (TPPs). They will be built in areas of high demand. Also, the development program of Crimea includes the construction of alternative energy facilities.
Basic generation will be developed at the expense of federal funds (with return). Projects for the development of thermal power plants were designed mainly for Turkish investors. However, the authorities do not report whether there are any specific proposals on this side. But recently there was information about Russian investors. In Dzhankoy and Black Sea regions of the republic, TPP will be built by Energosovet. Presumably, electricity will be produced through cogeneration gas-powered plants with a capacity of 24 and 16 MW. The total cost of both projects is 2.24 billion rubles. Most likely, they will be put into operation in the third quarter of 2016.
Separate energy supply scheme for the holiday season
The energy bridge to the Crimea (construction began, as you remember, in 2015) is likely to be ready by summer. At present, the government of the peninsula is developing a procedure for supplying the coastal territory during the summer influx of holidaymakers. The owners of sanatoriums, hotels and even mini-hotels are ordered to conclude agreements with Krymenergo indicating the necessary capacities for work during the holiday season. When developing a power supply scheme for health and medical facilities, priority is given to children's facilities. The peninsula is carefully prepared for the reception of spa visitors, including from Russia. From the Krasnodar Territory, at the moment, you can only get here by ferry. However, soon the usual bridge for cars and railway transport will also be laid on the peninsula through the Kerch Strait.
Thus, the answer to the question of when the energy bridge will be built in Crimea is clear. By the summer of 2016, this facility will be fully commissioned. On the peninsula, blackouts will cease, and enterprises will start operating at full capacity.