All news

Russia can shut down certain hydropower plants on Volga due to low water levels — ministry

Water reserves in the Volga cascade hydropower plants currently totals 40% of the normal rate

MOSCOW, March 23. /TASS/. Certain hydropower plants of the Volga river cascade can be shut down this summer due to the low water level in the Volga River, department director of the Russia’s Ministry of Natural Resources Dmitry Kirillov said on Monday.

Water reserves in the Volga cascade hydropower plants currently totals 40% of the normal rate, Kirillov added. "Some hydropower plants can be shut down. Escapage discharges will be limited across the Volga Hydro cascade by the second quarter-end," the official said.

Furthermore, navigation on the Volga River can be limited because of the shallowing, he added.