Public hearings at LNPP-2

Bulat Nigmatulin, First Deputy Director General of the Institute for the Problems of Natural Monopolies

The energy system of the North-Western region is similar to the energy systems of many developed countries: 14.6% are WPP, 39% — NPP and 46.4% TPP.

In this system LNPP has a big share and supplies the region with cheap electricity. The construction of LNPP-2 is aimed at preserving this system. The 1st and 2nd units of LNPP-1 were built in 1973 and 1975 and, even despite the recent modernization, they will shortly exhaust their resources. Hence, the construction of LNPP-2 is absolutely indispensable. The Soviet experience shows that an NPP construction takes 8 years. LNPP-2 will become the first such project since 1991.

Along with NPPs, the region should build pumped storage plants. Those facilities will give it additional electricity when the demand is high and to accumulate surplus electricity when the demand is low. This will allow to raise the capacity factor.