RusHydro plans to launch the Kashtanau hydroelectric plant on August 31st in the Cherek region of Kabardino-Balkaria, RIA Novosti reports, citing the press-service of the republic’s president.
The Kashtanau plant is the second in the cascade of Nizhniy Cherek hydroelectric plants. The test launch was planned for 2009, but was postponed to September 2010.
The construction of the cascade, which will produce 450-500 million kilowatts an hour, started in 1993. The first plant, Aushiger, was launched in 2002.
With the launch of Kashtanau, 50% of demand for electricity in Kabardino-Balkaria will be fulfilled. The power of the cascade will increase from 60 to 128.6 megawatts.
Additional security measures were taken after the attack on the Baksan hydroelectric plant on July 21st . According to the deputy head of the branch of ‘RusHydro’ in Kabardino-Balkaria, Magomet Beppayev, all the primary links of the hydroelectric plant have control posts and a security perimeter.
The number of security guards was increased after the terrorist attack and the height of the fence was raised. Barbed wire and cameras were added. Special automatic obstacles will be installed.
