Kolyma Hydroelectric Station

Kolyma Dam
Location of Kolyma Dam in Russia
Official nameKolyma Hydroelectric Station
CountryRussia
LocationSinegorye, Yagodninsky District, Magadan Oblast
Coordinates62°3′19.68″N 150°24′29.83″E / 62.0554667°N 150.4082861°E / 62.0554667; 150.4082861
PurposePower
StatusOperational
Construction began1974
Opening date1982 (1982)
Owner(s)RusHydro
Dam and spillways
Type of damEmbankment, rock-fill
ImpoundsKolyma River
Height134.5 m (441 ft)
Length683 m (2,241 ft)
Spillway capacity11,300 m3/s (400,000 cu ft/s)
Reservoir
Total capacity15,080,000,000 m3 (12,230,000 acre⋅ft)
Active capacity7,240,000,000 m3 (5,870,000 acre⋅ft)
Surface area454.6 km2 (175.5 sq mi)
Operator(s)RusHydro
Commission date1982–1994
TypeConventional
Hydraulic head115.2 m (378 ft)
Turbines4 x 180 MW Deriaz-type
1 x 180 MW Francis-type
Installed capacity900 MW

Kolyma Hydroelectric Station is located on the Kolyma River in the village of Sinegorye, Yagodninsky District, Magadan Oblast Russia. It has an installed power generation capacity of 900 MW. Kolyma HPP is the basis of the energy system of Magadan Oblast; it produces about 95% of the electricity in the region. It is the upper stage of the Kolyma cascade. The lower one (Ust-Srednekan Hydroelectric Plant), with an installed capacity of 570 MW, was completed in 2024.

Construction began in 1974 and the first generator was commissioned in 1982, the last in 1994. The facility was placed into permanent operation in 2007. Construction of the Kolyma HPP was carried out in the harsh climatic conditions in the zone of permafrost. At 134.5 m (441 ft), it is the highest earth filled dam in Russia. It is also the most powerful hydroelectric plant in the country with an underground power station.

Electricity generation of the Kolyma Hydroelectric Station since 2007, million kWh
Year 20072008200920102011201220132014
million kWh 20162012194319732033203019241558
Year 20152016201720182019202020212022
million kWh 16721663174819332022194221342188