En+ Group begins the third phase of hydropower plant upgrade to continue producing the world’s highest low-carbon aluminium

En+ Group, the largest producer of low-carbon aluminium and the biggest independent hydropower generator, has announced that it has begun the installation of a new impeller at one of its hydraulic units at the Bratsk Hydropower Station.

The Bratsk Hydropower Station’s 18 hydro-turbine impellers have been undergoing a three-stage modernisation programme. In the first stage, which held during 2004-2010, impellers at hydraulic units 13-18 were replaced that improved the turbines’ energy conversion efficiency to 95.3 per cent, boosting hydropower station’s electric output and resulting in reducing coal plant output and CO2 emissions. From 2014-17, in the second stage, six more impellers were replaced at hydraulic units 6-10 & 12.

The remaining six impellers will be replaced in the third stage of the modernisation programme at the Bratsk Hydropower Station at the cost of RUB 1.5 billion.

This project represents the company’s strong commitment to a progressive sustainability agenda and a fierce determination to further drive down the carbon emissions of the Group and seamlessly produce low-carbon aluminium.

Tyazhmash JSC is supplying the impellers as well as additional equipment. According to the report, all necessary equipment has arrived at the plant and is ready for installation. Works on the impellers are expected to continue till the end of the year and the hydro-turbine is planned for launch in late December 2021.

Mikhail Khardikov, Head of En+ Group’s energy business, said: "Modernising hydroelectric stations is important not only for a secure and uninterrupted energy supply, but all also to boost the station’s efficiency. As we continue with the implementation of the New Energy programme, we will achieve the best long-term efficiency metrics in the industry. The New Energy programme also has a positive ecological impact: as of 2022, the hydropower station will be generating an additional 2 billion kWh of energy from the same volume of water."