The reader is probably aware of the sad events of the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict. And today, relations between these countries remain tense. However, there is a place of friendship between Georgia and the Republic of Abkhazia, but friendship is forced. This is the hydroelectric station on Inguri, one of the most amazing and beautiful in the world. Let's look at her.
What is it - Inguri hydroelectric power station?
We are talking about the largest hydroelectric power station in the entire Caucasus. Ingurskaya, Ingur hydroelectric power station, Inguri hydroelectric power station are all its various names. Located on the river of the same name near the town of Jvari. This is the border of Georgia and Abkhazia.
So why is the Inguri hydroelectric power station called the place of friendship between the two countries that are still hostile to each other? The fact is that it was built during the USSR, when Georgia and Abkhazia were republics of the same country. Why are the key facilities of the hydroelectric station located in the territories of both of these modern sovereign states. Therefore, its operation is possible only with equal cooperation.
a brief description of
Inguri Hydroelectric Power Station, launched in 1978, today has an active status. Consider its main technical characteristics:
- Variety of the object: dam-derivational.
- Electricity generation per year: 4,430 million kW / h.
- Electric power: 1300 MW.
- Indicators of design head: 325 meters.
Let's move on to the main structures of the hydroelectric station on Inguri:
- Type of dam: concrete, arched.
- Dam length: 728 m.
- Dam height: 271.5 m.
- There are no gateways.
- Switchgear: 110/220/500 kV.
And now a brief description of the hydropower equipment:
- Turbines: radial-axial.
- Number of turbines: 5.
- Number of generators: 5.
- Flow through turbines: 5 x 90 m 3 .
- Power of generators: 5 x 260 MW.
Now we will take a closer look at this large-scale object.
Composition of structures
The Inguri Hydroelectric Power Station is a typical dam-derivation hydroelectric power station. Its hydraulic scheme is based on the transfer of Inguri waters to the basin of another mountain river - Eristskali. The total pressure is estimated at 410 m. Of these, 226 m falls on the dam itself, and the remaining 184 m is a matter of pressure derivation.
Inguri hydroelectric station is a number of important facilities. Consider them.
A striking concrete arched dam 271.5 m high. Before the collapse of the USSR, it was considered the second largest in the entire Union after the Nurek hydroelectric station (rock-fill type).
Today, the dam at the Inguri hydroelectric station is the sixth largest in the world! It is inferior to the Chinese Jinping-1 hydroelectric power station (305 m), the Tajik Nurek hydroelectric power station (304 m), the Chinese Xiaowan hydroelectric power station (292 m), the Chinese Siloda hydroelectric power station (285.5 m) and the Swiss Grand Dixens (285 m).
The Ingur dam consists of an arch (221.5 m) and a 50-meter cork. The thickness of the entire dam at its (cork) top is 52 m, and at the crest mark it is already 10 m.
In the body of the dam, seven 5-meter (in diameter) spillway openings for idle water flow are arranged. There are also 12 half-spans with a depth of about 9 meters, which can pass up to 2.7 thousand m 3 of water per second!
Other significant facilities of this hydroelectric power station in Georgia and neighboring Abkhazia:
- Tunnel type deep water intake with two holes turning into one. He takes water into the derivational tunnel.
- Actually derivational pressure tunnel, whose length is 15 km with a diameter of 9.6 m. The water pressure at the entrance to it is estimated at 101 m. At the exit - 165 m.
- Surge tank.
- Underground room of a hydroelectric power station.
- 5 underground turbine water conduits that overlap the butterfly valves (their diameters are 5 m each).
- Outlet tunnel.
Hydro power
The capacity of the hydroelectric power station on the Inguri River is 1300 MW. The average annual electricity generation is estimated at 4,430 million kW / h.
In the building of the hydroelectric power station are five hydraulic units manufactured by Turboatom. They operate at a pressure of 325 m (maximum - 410 meters). The highest flow rate through each turbine is 90 m 3 per second. The turbines drive hydrogenerators, each of which has a design capacity of 260 MW.
Pressure facilities of the hydroelectric power station form the Ingur (or Javar) reservoir. Its total volume is 1110 million m 3 .
Hydroelectric Operation
Hydroelectric power station is not a fully constituent industry of Georgia or Abkhazia. Today, located in the conflict zone between the two states, it cannot be exploited to its full potential. Hydroelectric power plants belong to these countries in the following ratio:
- On the territory of Abkhazia is the building of the hydroelectric station and part of its tunnel.
- In Georgia there is a water intake, a dam and another part of the tunnel.
In addition, the entire Inguri hydropower complex, in addition to this facility, includes four differential hydroelectric power stations (a cascade of 4 hydroelectric power stations - I, II, III, IV). They are built on the Eristskali River, which flows through the Abkhaz lands. Therefore, the Georgian industry will experience great difficulties if the government refuses to cooperate with Abkhazia on the joint peaceful use of hydropower plants.
Thus, from 1992 to the present, neighboring states jointly operate the facility by agreement. According to the agreement, 60% of the generated electricity goes to Georgia, and 40% to Abkhazia.
Reconstruction of the facility
In the early 90s, a number of technical problems were identified at the Inguri hydroelectric station that did not allow it to operate at maximum capacity. In the mid-nineties, the 3rd hydraulic unit completely failed.
In this regard, in 2004, reconstruction began. conducted by Voith Siemens Hydro. The work was funded by foreign lenders. Some part was paid by grants from foreign investors.
As a result of the reconstruction, in 2006 the third hydraulic unit was again launched. Then repaired 2nd and 4th. In 2012-2013 reconstruction of the 1st and 5th hydraulic units was carried out. The cost of all work performed amounted to 20 million €. The funds were provided by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development , an international investment mechanism created to support the economies of needy countries.
Interesting for a tourist
Inguri Hydroelectric Power Station is not only the most important strategic object. The power, grandeur and aesthetics of a hydroelectric power station attract tourists here. The closest settlements to it will be the village. Potsko Etseri and the town of Jvari. As for the village, it has a rather comfortable hotel, from the balconies of which a breathtaking view of the dam opens.
By the way, it is here that Upper Svaneti originates - one of the most beautiful highland regions of Georgia. Inguri flows to the hydroelectric power station directly from centuries-old glaciers. And below Potsko Etseri the Abkhaz-Georgian border will already pass.
A 300-meter cliff behind which 1,110 million cubic meters of water is a truly spectacular sight. Therefore, the Georgian government in the future plans to develop a recreation area here - to build a museum, a tourist center and even launch a cable car through the reservoir.
The Inguri hydroelectric station is one of the most significant structures on our planet. It is also the strategic object that allows the two warring countries to cooperate.