Overview

Reftinskaya GRES is the largest solid fuel thermal power plant in Russia, serving as a critical node in the national energy infrastructure. The facility is situated in Sverdlovsk Oblast, located 100 km north-east of Yekaterinburg and 18 km from the town of Asbest. The Reftinskiy town, home to 18,000 people, is situated 2.5 km from the power station. The plant has a total installed capacity of 3,800 MW and produces 20,000 million kWh annually. It operates using coal from the Ekibastuz coal field as its main fuel, with black oil used as the starting fuel. The station also generates 350 GKh of heat power.

Grid Integration and Supply

The station supplies power to the industrial areas in Sverdlovsk, Tyumen, Perm, and Chelyabinsk regions. Reftinskaya GRES produces power with the bar «Outdoor switchgear -500 kV» on five power lines -500 kV and with the bar «Outdoor switchgear -220 kV» on five power lines -220 kV. This extensive grid integration ensures reliable energy delivery across multiple key industrial regions in the Urals and Western Siberia.

Construction History

The construction of the electric power station was started in 1963. The launching of the first power unit took place in 1970, marking the beginning of its operational history. The last unit was launched in 1980, completing the initial phase of the plant's expansion. The facility has remained operational since its commissioning, maintaining its status as a major coal-fired power generation asset in Russia.

History of Construction and Commissioning

Construction of the Reftinskaya GRES began in 1963. The project was situated in Sverdlovsk Oblast, approximately 100 km north-east of Yekaterinburg and 18 km from Asbest. The development of the station was supported by the Sverdlovsk regional committee, with B. Yeltsin playing a notable role in the regional oversight of the infrastructure project. The first power unit was launched in 1970, marking the initial phase of operational capacity for the facility. Subsequent units were commissioned sequentially over the following decade, with the final unit coming online in 1980. This ten-year commissioning period established the plant as the largest solid fuel thermal power plant in Russia. The station's location near Reftinskiy town, which has a population of 18,000 people, facilitated the logistical support required for the construction and early operational phases. The completion of the ten units by 1980 solidified the plant's capacity to supply power to the industrial areas in Sverdlovsk, Tyumen, Perm, and Chelyabinsk regions.
Unit Commissioning Year
Unit 1 1970
Units 2–9 1970–1980
Unit 10 1980
The sequential commissioning allowed for a gradual increase in the installed capacity, reaching the total of 3,800 MW. The construction timeline reflected the strategic importance of the facility for the energy infrastructure of the Urals region. The involvement of local administrative bodies ensured that the project aligned with the broader industrial development goals of Sverdlovsk Oblast. The completion of the station in 1980 marked the end of the primary construction phase, establishing a long-term operational baseline for the coal-fired power generation in the area.

Technical Specifications and Fuel Supply

Reftinskaya GRES operates with a total installed capacity of 3,800 MW, making it the largest solid fuel thermal power plant in Russia. The facility generates approximately 20,000 million KWh annually. The power station’s generation infrastructure includes multiple units to achieve this capacity. The plant was constructed in phases, with the first unit launched in 1970 and the final unit commissioned in 1980. Construction of the station began in 1963.

Fuel Supply and Logistics

The primary fuel source for Reftinskaya GRES is coal from the Ekibastuz coal field. Black oil is utilized as the starting fuel for the units. The coal supply chain involves transportation from Ekibastuz to the plant in Sverdlovsk Oblast. The distance between the Ekibastuz coal field and the power station is approximately 1,400 km. This logistical route ensures a steady supply of solid fuel to maintain the plant's annual output of 20,000 million KWh. The use of Ekibastuz coal is a key operational characteristic of the facility.

Electrical Infrastructure

The station’s electrical output is managed through extensive switchgear and transmission lines. Power is distributed via the "Outdoor switchgear -500 kV" bar, which connects to five power lines operating at 500 kV. Additionally, the "Outdoor switchgear -220 kV" bar supplies five power lines operating at 220 kV. This dual-voltage infrastructure supports the distribution of electricity to industrial areas across multiple regions. The 500 kV lines facilitate long-distance transmission, while the 220 kV lines serve regional distribution needs. This configuration ensures reliable power delivery to the key industrial hubs of the Urals and Western Siberia.

The Reftinskiy town, with a population of 18,000 people, is situated 2.5 km from the GRES. The proximity to Reftinskiy and the major cities in the region underscores the plant's strategic location within the Russian energy grid. The operational status of the plant remains active, continuing to serve as a major source of thermal power in the country.

Environmental Infrastructure and Ash Management

Reftinskaya GRES has undergone significant modernization of its environmental infrastructure, particularly regarding ash management and land recultivation. The plant transitioned from traditional hydraulic ash removal to a dry ash system, a shift designed to optimize water usage and reduce the footprint of ash dumps. This modernization was driven by strategic investments aimed at improving operational efficiency and environmental compliance.

Enel Russia Investment and Infrastructure

A key component of this transition was a 12.5 billion rouble investment by Enel Russia. This capital injection facilitated the installation of a 4.5 km conveyor belt system. The conveyor belt is a critical piece of infrastructure that transports dry ash from the boiler houses to the storage areas, reducing the reliance on water for slurry transport. This system enhances the efficiency of ash handling and minimizes water consumption, which is particularly important for a coal-fired plant of this scale.

Recultivation of Ash Dump No. 1

In addition to the technical upgrades, Reftinskaya GRES has focused on the ecological restoration of its surrounding land. Ash Dump No. 1, one of the primary storage sites for fly ash and bottom ash, has been subjected to a recultivation project. The site has been transformed into a pine forest, helping to mitigate the visual and environmental impact of the ash deposits. This recultivation effort demonstrates a commitment to integrating the power plant's operations with the local landscape, improving air quality and providing a green buffer around the facility.

These environmental initiatives are part of a broader strategy to maintain the plant's operational status while addressing the ecological challenges associated with large-scale coal power generation. The combination of dry ash removal, significant infrastructure investment, and land recultivation positions Reftinskaya GRES as a model for environmental management in the Russian energy sector.

How does the plant manage water and fish protection?

Reftinskaya GRES employs a substantial water management infrastructure to support its thermal generation processes. The facility utilizes a large cooling pond with a surface area of 25 km2, which serves as the primary heat sink for the plant's condensers. This system enables a high degree of water recycling, processing approximately 12.2 million m/day of water to maintain efficient thermodynamic cycles across the 3800 MW installed capacity.

Fish Protection Measures

The extensive water intake and discharge operations at the Reftinskaya GRES cooling pond pose significant challenges for local aquatic life, particularly for migrating fish fry. To mitigate these ecological impacts, the plant implemented advanced fish protection devices in 2016. This system combines acoustic and mechanical screening technologies to guide and protect young fish as they navigate the intake zones.

The acoustic screens emit specific sound frequencies that attract or repel fish fry, directing them toward the intake channels or away from the turbine blades, depending on the species' behavioral responses. These acoustic signals are complemented by mechanical screens that physically separate the fish from the water flow, preventing them from being drawn into the cooling system where they might suffer from temperature shock or mechanical damage.

According to operational data from the 2016 implementation, this combined acoustic and mechanical screening system has proven highly effective, saving approximately 70% of fish fry that would otherwise be lost to the cooling process. This represents a significant improvement over earlier protection methods and demonstrates the plant's commitment to balancing industrial efficiency with environmental stewardship. The success of this technology has positioned Reftinskaya GRES as a model for fish protection at large-scale thermal power stations in Russia's Ural region.

The water recycling system and fish protection measures work in tandem to minimize the plant's overall environmental footprint. By recycling 12.2 million m/day of water, the plant reduces its fresh water withdrawal from the Refta River and surrounding water bodies, while the fish protection device ensures that the aquatic ecosystem remains viable despite the thermal and mechanical stresses imposed by the power generation process. These systems are critical for maintaining the ecological balance in the Sverdlovsk Oblast region, where the plant supplies power to industrial areas across multiple regions including Tyumen, Perm, and Chelyabinsk.

What are the key environmental modernizations?

The Reftinskaya GRES has implemented significant environmental modernizations to mitigate the impact of its status as Russia's largest solid fuel thermal power plant. A primary focus of these upgrades has been the installation of advanced fabric filters on specific generating units to enhance particulate matter capture. These fabric filters were installed on Units 4, 5, and 7 of the facility. The implementation of this filtration technology has achieved a high level of efficiency, reaching 99.9% in terms of particulate capture. This technological upgrade results in a substantial reduction in annual emissions, saving up to 40,000 tons of emissions per year. This measure addresses the significant volume of coal consumption required to produce 20,000 million KWh annually, utilizing coal primarily from the Ekibastuz coal field.

Gas Treatment Systems

In addition to the fabric filters on the later units, the station has introduced a gas treatment system on Unit 1. This system is designed to further refine the exhaust output from the oldest operational unit, which was part of the initial commissioning phase that began in 1970. The integration of gas treatment on Unit 1 complements the fabric filter installations on Units 4, 5, and 7, creating a multi-layered approach to air quality management across the plant's 3,800 MW installed capacity. These environmental measures are critical given the plant's role in supplying power to the industrial areas in Sverdlovsk, Tyumen, Perm, and Chelyabinsk regions. The modernization efforts reflect ongoing adjustments to operational standards for large-scale coal-fired generation in the Sverdlovsk Oblast, located 100 km north-east of Yekaterinburg. The combination of high-efficiency fabric filters and targeted gas treatment systems represents a key strategy in managing the environmental footprint of the facility's continuous operation since the last unit was launched in 1980.

Why it matters

Reftinskaya GRES holds a defining position in the Russian energy infrastructure as the largest solid fuel thermal power plant in the country. Its scale is evident in its total installed capacity of 3800 MW and an annual production of 20,000 million kWh, figures that underscore its critical role in the national grid. The station serves as a primary power source for multiple industrial regions, supplying electricity to Sverdlovsk, Tyumen, Perm, and Chelyabinsk regions through an extensive transmission network. This wide-area distribution is facilitated by five 500 kV power lines and five 220 kV power lines, connecting the plant to key industrial hubs across the Urals and Western Siberia.

Regional Energy Dominance

The plant's output is vital for the economic stability of Sverdlovsk Oblast, where it supplies nearly 40% of the region's energy needs. This high concentration of generation capacity makes the Reftinskaya GRES a cornerstone of the local economy, supporting heavy industry and residential consumption in a region characterized by diverse industrial demands. The proximity to urban centers, including the town of Reftinskiy with a population of 18,000 people, and the city of Asbest, located 18 km away, highlights the plant's integration into the regional demographic and industrial landscape. The facility's ability to deliver consistent baseload power ensures stability for the industrial areas it serves, mitigating volatility in the regional energy mix.

Technological Pioneering

Beyond its sheer output, Reftinskaya GRES is recognized as a pioneer in Russian coal power generation technology. The plant was among the first to implement advanced dry ash removal systems, which improved efficiency and reduced water consumption compared to traditional wet ash methods. Additionally, the station introduced sophisticated automated control systems that enhanced operational reliability and allowed for more precise management of the 3800 MW capacity. These innovations set a benchmark for subsequent coal-fired plants in Russia, influencing design standards for thermal efficiency and environmental management in the sector. The use of coal from the Ekibastuz coal field as the main fuel, supplemented by black oil for starting, further illustrates the strategic fuel sourcing that supports its continuous operation since the first unit launched in 1970.

Operational Incidents and Ownership

The Reftinskaya GRES facility includes a prominent 330-meter chimney, a key structural component of the plant's thermal output system. This infrastructure supports the plant's status as the largest solid fuel thermal power plant in Russia, situated in Sverdlovsk Oblast. The plant's operational history includes significant incidents that have impacted its capacity and maintenance schedules.

2006 Unit 10 Fire

A major operational incident occurred in 2006 when a fire destroyed Unit 10 of the Reftinskaya GRES. This event marked a significant disruption to the plant's production capabilities. The fire affected the specific unit, leading to temporary reductions in the plant's overall output. The incident highlighted the operational risks associated with large-scale coal-fired power generation facilities. The plant continued to operate with its remaining units, maintaining its role in supplying power to the industrial areas in Sverdlovsk, Tyumen, Perm, and Chelyabinsk regions.

Ownership Transfer

The ownership of Reftinskaya GRES underwent a significant change in 2020. The plant was transferred from Enel to JSC Kuzbassenergo. This transfer marked a shift in the operational management of the facility. JSC Kuzbassenergo became the operator of the plant, continuing its role in managing the 3800 MW capacity facility. The transfer was part of broader changes in the Russian energy sector, affecting the management of major power generation assets. The plant remains operational under the management of JSC Kuzbassenergo, continuing to produce 20,000 million KWh annually.

See also