Today, hydroelectric power plants are still an indispensable link in the energy complex of most states. Of course, they were partially supplanted by nuclear substations, but hydroelectric power stations are still fundamental. On the territory of Ukraine, such methods of providing the population with electricity are the most common. And it is about one of the Ukrainian stations that will be discussed.
Hydro Power Plant Overview
Kakhivska HPP is one of the ten largest Ukrainian hydroelectric power plants, the facility is located in the south of the country, in the Kherson region. The power plant was built on the Dnieper and is one of the branches of the open joint-stock company Ukrhydroenergo.
Kakhovsky hydroelectric complex includes the following:
- Aggregate hall of the hydroelectric power plant itself;
- water drain facility;
- ship lock (single chamber);
- earth dam;
- electric installation forelectricity reception and distribution;
- crossings for cars and trains (transport infrastructure).
The capacity of the station (total) is about 351 MW. The average output for the year reaches 1489 million kWh.
Kakhovskaya HPP is provided with equipment from Kharkov and Zaporozhye plants. Among the units from these industries are rotary-blade turbines, synchronous generators and transformers. Thanks to the high quality of the installed devices, the Kakhovskaya HPP has been successfully operating to this day.
The hydraulic structure erected along the perimeter of the hydroelectric complex formed a reservoir over time. It exists and is still functioning. In addition, this facility is a source of water supply for the entire southern part of Ukraine. That is, enterprises, factories, as well as residential and industrial areas are directly dependent on the Kakhovka reservoir.
Kakhovskaya HPP in 2001 had 173 people in its staff. It is likely that these data have changed a long time ago, however, it was not possible to find up-to-date information in the public domain. Usually, there is no high staff turnover at such facilities.
Construction of an energy facility
The history of the Kakhovskaya HPP dates back to the post-war years. This object was one of the projects of the Great Construction of Communism. In addition, this fact led to the appearance of the image of a hydroelectric power plant on postage stamps of the USSR.
The construction of the Kakhovskaya HPP began in 1950. The ministers of the Soviet Union included this project amongmandatory for construction due to the need to provide a decent number of areas with electricity. It was because of the construction of the hydroelectric power station that the settlement of Novaya Kakhovka was created: workers and personnel who were involved in the construction lived there.
At the time of the construction of the facility, about 12 thousand people were employed. In addition, an impressive array of vehicles, from cars to locomotives and dredgers, were involved in the construction.
By 1956, the construction was completed. The last unit has been put into operation, a reservoir has already been created. That is, in six years, the hydroelectric power plant managed to rebuild and become one of the substations that feed most of the regions in its environment. The result is not small.
Today's state of HPP
In 1996, work began on the restoration and reconstruction of the hydroelectric complex. To date, the indicators for the generation of electricity, as well as the service life of the units, have increased significantly and allow us to move on. If it were not for a small accident at the Kakhovskaya hydroelectric power station, when floodplains were flooded due to rising water, then this particular hydroelectric power plant would remain the best of the best.
Later, in 2006, the roadbed was restored on the territory of the Kakhovskaya HPP. In addition, household premises were rebuilt. But this did not affect the improvement of existing structures necessary for the direct operation of the facility. If there is a breakthrough at the Kakhovskaya HPP, the consequences will be very sad.
In 2010, this enterprise won the first place in the rating "Conscientious taxpayer-2010". And this is among 800 similar plants, hydroelectric power stations and other facilities. By the way, the readiness of management and staff to take part in various charitable events and events was also taken into account among the criteria for the taxpayer's good faith.
In closing
Kakhovskaya HPP is a powerful and quite successful hydropower plant. However, for the normal functioning of the facility in the future, it is necessary to invest money not in cosmetic repairs and the construction of additional auxiliary buildings, but in the replacement of some equipment and the restoration of massive units. Then the HPP will last even longer, without accidents and threatening breakdowns.
