On working visit to Republic of Khakassia, Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin holds meeting to discuss restoration of Sayano-Shushenskaya hydroelectric power station, including riverside spillway construction
Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin stated at the meeting that the Sayano-Shushenskaya power station's hydraulic facilities were operating normally and that ice build-up posed no threat to the dam.
According to Mr Sechin, officials foresaw the possibility of ice build-up and have been working on a solution since August. This has allowed them to take necessary measures to minimise risks and reduce the impact of ice build-up.
"We foresaw this possibility as early as this autumn. In August and September we carried out various investigations and developed measures to deal with the situation. These measures have proven effective. We managed to remove the top of the so-called iceberg," said Igor Sechin, emphasising that the main structure of the dam is in normal condition.
"The repairs carried out before 2004 allowed the dam to be restored in full. Leaks were reduced by a factor of 100; no cracks have been detected in the main structure of the dam or its foundation. The dam retains its ability to prevent leakage," said the deputy prime minister.
When the meeting turned to repairing and rebuilding the station, Deputy Prime Minister Sechin noted that work on hydroelectric turbines five and six is on schedule.
Mr Sechin also ordered officials to examine the possibility of setting up a special monitoring centre at the Sayano-Shushenskaya dam. The data collected by the centre collected could be used by the station's specialists, as well as by specialists at the Federal Agency for Water Resources and the Hydro Meteorological Centre of Russia.
The deputy prime minister added that this centre could monitor the state of the Sayano-Shushanskaya dam and of the water that powers it.
During his visit to the Sayano-Shushenskaya dam, Mr Sechin inspected construction on a riverside spillway, ascended to the top of the dam, and inspected the powerhouse, which is being repaired after the disaster.
"We are not worried about the situation at the Sayano-Sheshenskaya power station, but we do have a feeling of responsibility," concluded the deputy prime minister.
