Experience in constructing the Zagorsk pumped-storage station

The Zagorsk pumped storage station (PSS) is the first large power installation of a new type in Russia with a 800,000 kw capacity after put into operation. The design life of the hydro development is 80 years. The year 1994 marks the 20th year since beginning construction, which doubled the original estimates in time while the cost has been 2.5 times more than expected. Unfortunately, the Zagorsk PSS was built in an area of moist climate and moraine loam, where it is not advisable to build dikes. In 1993 unit number five will be started in a synchronous capacitor regime, with the conduit for number five completed in 1994. A sixth unit with be put into operation after the filling of the second phase of the upper reservoir is completed not earlier than 1996. The following tasks are required to finish the structure: drainage system of the dikes of the upper reservoir and slopes, restoration of disrupted measuring and monitoring equipment, completion of the roof of the PSS powerhouse with fire protection, and bringing the groutstops of the shutoff structures to the design elevations.