The Bratsk Hydroelectric Power Station is considered one of the largest operating stations not only in Siberia, but also in the world. In addition to the power of the station and the role that it played in the development of Siberia, the history of construction, the patriotism of our parents and the era that embodied such a grandiose plan are of great interest.
A bit of history ...
Bratsk begins its history in 1631. For further exploration of Transbaikalia, the Bratsk fort was the outpost, which was gradually built up and grew up in a small village in one street, stretching along the river. Merchants and diplomats visited here, the explorers of the Angara region and explorers of the coastal part of the Sea of Okhotsk stocked up food and water . And only exiles and convicts could take a closer look at this land and love it.
Some time passed, and the descendants of the plowed peasants, united in the commune "Drummer", began to build a new life. Every year the territory of collective farm lands expanded, the rumbling of tractors became more audible, and livestock farms were replenished with a new livestock.
Start of construction
On December 21, 1954, a decision was taken to begin construction. The fraternal hydroelectric station was supposed to be commissioned by the 50th anniversary of the Great October Revolution - such was the plan of the country's top leadership. And what could result from its failure, everyone knew well. Therefore, the construction of the dam began on a river covered with a thick layer of ice.
The Soviet leadership faced a labor problem. If earlier all this was solved with the help of repression and coercion, then at that moment it was decided to use the power of propaganda. As a result, hundreds of romantics and enthusiasts went to build a hydroelectric station on the Angara. Thanks to the colossal dedication, unlimited devotion to the motherland, the genius of engineers, the station was delivered on time.
Newly arrived builders did not expect to see such a reality. The first winters, people lived in ordinary tents at a temperature of -50 in the deep taiga, adjacent to only a few small villages. There was no time even to build the simplest huts. All forces were devoted to the construction of the station.
The Bratsk Hydroelectric Power Station required large areas, and a decision was made to flood 100 villages. No one was interested in the opinion of the inhabitants. In pursuit of the deadline in the flooded area, a huge mass of building materials was thrown. Rich hunting farms, collective farms, residential buildings and huge forests were flooded.
Starting from July 18, 1961, the filling of the Bratsk reservoir begins , due to which the dam level rises by 100 meters. And on December 14, 1966, the launch of the last, eighteenth unit begins. At that time, the Bratsk Hydroelectric Power Station was the largest hydroelectric power station in the world. It operates to this day.
A huge role in the development of Siberia was played by the Bratsk Hydroelectric Power Station, a photo of which can be seen on this page. All those spontaneous decisions that led to rash sacrifices paid off with interest. At the moment, it is this hydroelectric power station that makes it possible to engage in the development and mining of minerals in this region.