Projects

Innovative development is a strategic task for the further development of the Company and an urgent need for the operation of the UES. The company initiated many progressive and innovative approaches for its own development and for the development of the entire industry. Ukrhydroenergo is one of the leading companies in the industry, which pays considerable attention to the implementation of innovative technologies in generation during the reconstruction and operation of the equipment and hydraulic structures.

The project of rehabilitation of hydropower plants of Ukrhydroenergo was started in 1996. Its first stage was implemented in 1996-2005. The second stage continues to this day. The goal of the project is the total reconstruction of the company's hydropower units with the installation of new control and protection systems, excitation systems, speed governors, high-voltage switches, measuring transformers and other equipment. Reconstruction is carried out without decommissioning the stations.

Since the beginning of the implementation of this project, 55 hydropower units have been reconstructed, 11 more are in the active stage of reconstruction. The works are financed from the Company’s own funds, as well as from the funds of international financial organizations such as the World Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the European Investment Bank. Such reputed foreign companies as EDF, Andritz Hydro, Emerson, ATEF and others are involved in the implementation of the project.

The completion of the second stage of reconstruction of the Company's hydropower plants will contribute to the extension of their operational lifetime for 30-40 years, increase in capacity by 345.2 MW, and improvement of operational safety.

The construction of the Dnister pumped storage power plant is one of the most ambitious projects in modern Ukraine. The plant, when it reaches the designed capacity, would become the largest PSP in Europe. The main functions of the Dnister PSP: regulating the frequency and schedule of loads in the United Power System of Ukraine and forming an emergency energy reserve.

The Dnister PSP will consist of seven hydropower units with Francis turbines. Designed capacity: 2268 MW in generator mode and 2947 MW in pumping mode. As of today, the first commissioning stage of the PSP, consisting of hydro units No. 1-3, and the second stage, consisting of hydro unit No. 4, with a total capacity of 1296 MW in generator mode and 1684 MW in pumping mode, are fully ready and functioning.

Currently, the construction project of the commissioning stage III of the PSP, consisting of hydro units No. 5-7, has been developed. The project passed the state expert assessment and received a positive conclusion. Primarily, the construction of a pumped storage power plant on the Dnister River would make it possible to use surpluses of cheap nighttime electricity to pump water in pumping mode to high levels in the upper reservoir and use it in turbine mode during peak hours to generate electricity, which would ensure the balanced operation of nuclear power plants in the United Power System of Ukraine.

In order to ensure the stable operation of the United Power System of Ukraine, there is an urgent need for the construction of flexible assets. Ukrhydroenergo has a number of promising projects that are at the stage of design and research work and the construction of which is planned to begin in the medium term.

One of these projects is the construction of Kaniv PSP consisting of four hydropower units. Designed capacity: 1000 MW in generator mode and 1040 MW in pumping mode. In 2019, the investment project "Construction of Kaniv PSP" was developed. After passing the state expert assessment, it received a positive conclusion.

In 2028, it is planned to launch the first hydro unit with a capacity of 250 MW. The company has signed a number of memoranda of cooperation with world leading companies in the field of construction of hydropower facilities regarding the implementation of joint projects, in particular the construction of Kaniv PSP.

In order to optimize the operation of Kakhovka hydropower complex, it is necessary to increase its installed capacity by implementing additional hydro units. To this end, Ukrhydroenergo implements the construction project of Kakhovka-2 HPP. The installation of additional power units will allow increasing the use of flow by all turbines of Kakhovka HPP to 95%, thus increasing electricity generation. Increasing the installed capacity of Kakhovka hydropower complex will allow for a more efficient regulation of flow of the Dnipro River by transferring it to the high-peak part of the power system's load schedule. It is proposed to increase electricity generation without building a new dam, using instead the existing one closest to the mouth of the Dnipro River.

The construction of Kakhovka-2 HPP will allow for:

• more effective regulation of flow of the Dnipro River;

• increase of electricity production by exploiting the previously idle discharges;

• improvement of the operating mode of Kakhovka hydro power complex, making it environmentally friendly for the lower stream of Dnipro River.

Four hydro units with a total installed capacity of 250 MW shall be installed at the power plant. The construction period is 6 years. The feasibility study for the construction of Kakhovka-2 HPP was approved by the Decree of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. The investment project "Construction of Kakhovka-2 HPP" was developed with the aim of attracting international investments.

Ukrhydroenergo initiated a project to install hybrid generation systems at the company's power plants, which would become a source of pride and a unique experience for the Company. The project will expand the range of ancillary services that Ukrhydroenergo provides on the market, which are vital for the power system, as well as increase the emergency capacity reserve and improve the quality of ancillary services.

"Installation of hybrid generation systems at PJSC Ukrhydroenergo - the technology of joint production of electricity by HPP hydro units and industrial energy storage systems with support for HPP's auxiliaries by photovoltaic power plants. The main goal of the project is to ensure additional stability, safety and reliability of the United Power System of Ukraine and to meet the requirements of ENTSO-E regarding the frequency maintenance reserve in the UPS.

Ukrhydroenergo plans to install hybrid systems combining high-speed storage (batteries) of electricity with a capacity of 212 MW and solar panels with a capacity of 63.9 MW on the sites of five branches:

• Kyiv HPP and PSP Cascade

• Kaniv HPP

• Kremenchuk HPP

• Seredniodniprovska HPP

• Dnister HPP and PSP Cascade

Capital investments for the construction will be made at the expense of own funds, loan funds from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the Grant from the Clean Technologies Fund in the amount of 212 million US dollars.

To this day, the President of Ukraine has signed the Law "On the Ratification of the Guarantee Agreement ("Ukraine – Improving Power System Resilience for European Power Grid Integration (Installation of Hybrid Systems for Electricity Production in Ukrhydroenergo)” Project) between Ukraine and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the Guarantee Agreement ("Ukraine – Improving Power System Resilience for European Power Grid Integration (Installation of Hybrid Systems for Electricity Production in Ukrhydroenergo)” Project) between Ukraine and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development acting as an implementing entity of the Clean Technologies Fund.

Since 2021 Ukrhydroenergo has started some preparatory activities to implement a pilot project for the generation of "green" hydrogen.

"Green" hydrogen is the best climate-friendly and most promising fuel for decarbonization of the global economy, because its production meets the low-carbon threshold and is generated using renewable energy sources (through water electrolysis). Mastering this innovative technology will provide Ukrhydroenergo with an opportunity to enter new markets and further economic development by means of new jobs opening. This project will have an important impact on the environment, including the development of fuel production with zero greenhouse gas emissions and the reduction of fossil fuels, which reserves are quite limited.

In April 2022 Ukrhydroenergo signed a memorandum of cooperation with Andritz Hydro GmbH and MAN Energy Solutions SE for the development and implementation of "green" hydrogen generation projects in Ukraine. Today the Company is actively studying the latest technological aspects to implement the most effective approaches to the preparation and implementation of hydrogen project using Ukrhydroenergo's own potential in terms of renewable energy sources.