North Ossetia has received a unique hydroelectric power plant.
Zaramag Hydroelectric Power Plant-1 has been launched on the Ardon River, a tributary of the Terek River. The hydraulic head of the plant is 609 m. This is not the only unique thing about this power plant: Russia’s longest hydraulic tunnel – 14.3 km – was built for it. In addition, the plant is equipped with Russia’s largest impulse-type water turbines.
It is noteworthy that the new HPP on the Ardon River ranks third in terms of capacity in the North Caucasus after the Chirkei and Irganai hydroelectric power plants in Daghestan. The plant will cover 70% of the electricity demand of the Republic of North Ossetia, up from 20%.
Given the importance of the new HPP for the republic and its energy sector, the launch ceremony was attended by many officials, including Deputy Prime Minister for Defense Industry Yury Borisov, Minister of Energy Alexander Novak, Head of the Republic of North Ossetia Vyacheslav Bitarov and North Ossetia Parliament Speaker Alexei Machnev.