Polotsk hydropower plant works fine amid spring flooding

The Polotsk hydropower plant is a division of the Polotsk Electric Networks branch of the Vitebsk Oblast electric company Vitebskenergo. The hydropower plant was commissioned on 30 June 2017. It will be five years old this year. The Polotsk hydropower plant is located on the Zapadnaya Dvina River about 11km upstream from Polotsk. The installed capacity is 21.66MW. The Polotsk hydropower plant is designed to generate 112.2 million kWh per annum, saving 35,100 tonnes of fuel oil equivalent per annum. The actual amount of electricity it can generate depends on water levels in the river. Since it was commissioned and till 1 April 2022, the Polotsk hydropower plant generated 534.7 million kWh of electricity or 100.9% of the designed output and saved 164,600 tonnes of fuel oil equivalent. In Q1 2022 the Polotsk hydropower plant generated 33.627 million kWh of electricity or 125.9% of the designed output capacity.

The Polotsk hydropower plant is now operating in spring flooding conditions. The water level has risen due to the infusion of water from upper reaches of the Zapadnaya Dvina River. The hydropower plant equipment is operating as normal, making its own contribution to the country's energy security.