Published on: 2026-09-16
Source: Government of the Russian Federation –
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Deputy Prime Minister and Plenipotentiary Representative of the President in the Far Eastern Federal District Yuri Trutnev launched the commissioning of the Svetlinskaya Hydroelectric Power Station to its design capacity of 370 MW. The ceremony was also attended by the Head of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), Aisen Nikolaev, and the General Director of ALROSA, Pavel Marinychev.
The company “Alrosa” has commissioned the fourth hydro unit with a capacity of 104 MW. This will improve the reliability of power supply in Western Yakutia. Investments in the project exceeded 5 billion rubles.
“We are launching the fourth and final hydro unit of the Svetlinskaya HPP. The construction of the HPP began back in the Soviet era, in 1984. Today, the company ‘Alrosa’ is completing the construction cycle. The launch of the hydro unit is important not only for Yakutia but also for the development of the entire Far East. Fulfilling the assignment of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, we are striving to ensure that the Far East develops more rapidly, new investment projects are created, and for this additional volumes of electricity are required. The launch of the final hydro unit will increase the reliability of electricity supply to the western districts of Yakutia and the largest industrial enterprises of the region. The Svetlinskaya HPP is the first hydroelectric power station in the world built on permafrost. Its design and construction demanded intensive and creative work from a significant number of specialists: engineers, builders, installers, surveyors, hydrologists,” opened the ceremonial launch ceremony Yuri Trutnev.
Svetlinskaya Hydroelectric Power Station is located on the Vilyuy River in the Mirninsky District of Yakutia and is the second stage of the Vilyuy cascade of hydroelectric power stations. It is the first hydroelectric power station in the world built on permafrost rather than on the traditional rocky foundation typical for such facilities. It is classified as an experimental hydraulic engineering structure.
The hydroelectric power station supplies electricity to ALROSA’s production facilities and operates in the interests of the entire Western energy district of Yakutia. Among its consumers are enterprises in the oil and gas and gold mining industries, as well as facilities of transport, telecommunications, and social infrastructure.
“In Yakutia, energy is one of the key factors in the cost and pace of implementing any industrial project. Therefore, the launch of the fourth hydro unit is not just the completion of a major construction project. It will allow production to be maintained at the level of more than 1 billion kWh even in a low-water year and will increase the reliability of power supply in Western Yakutia, creating resources for the launch of new productions. We have created an energy infrastructure that will operate for decades, not only for the company but for the entire region,” said Pavel Marinychev.
Aysen Nikolaev noted that the commissioning of the Svetlinskaya HPP to its design capacity will become an important stage in the formation of the new energy framework of the republic.
“This is a major event for the energy sector of Yakutia and the entire Far East. Currently, energy facilities with a total capacity of about 2 GW are being built simultaneously in the republic — we have never had new construction on such a scale before. As the head of the State Council of the Russian Federation’s commission on ‘Energy’, I organize its work based on the understanding that new generating and grid capacities in the Far East must be developed ahead of schedule. Energy capacities must become a competitive advantage for Yakutia and the entire Far East. And the huge hydroelectric potential of the republic gives us the opportunity to set new large-scale goals for decades to come,” emphasized the head of Yakutia.
The head of the republic also congratulated the team and the veterans of “Alrosa” who took part in the construction of the station.
Construction of the fourth hydroelectric unit began in 2020. Investments in the project amounted to more than 5 billion rubles. The equipment was entirely manufactured in Russia by the leading hydroelectric equipment manufacturer – the company “Power Machines”.
In 2025, more than 2.4 thousand tons of equipment were delivered to the construction site. Installation of the main equipment began in December 2025. In August 2026, the hydro unit was installed and tested. It is put into operation more than six months ahead of the project’s scheduled date—in April 2027.
“Despite all our plans and efforts with the Ministry of Energy on those projects that require electricity supply, the energy deficit by 2030 may reach 3 GW. The launch of a new hydro unit, additional energy capacities, is of fundamental importance. Together with the energy sector specialists, we are trying to ensure that all investment projects are provided with the necessary electricity. The program that the Minister of Energy reported to the President of Russia at the XI Eastern Economic Forum includes such measures. But it is important not only to include the measures but to secure their funding and implement them,” said Yuri Trutnev.
Construction of the Svetlinskaya HPP began in the Soviet era but was repeatedly suspended due to lack of funding and technological difficulties. After the plant became the property of Alrosa in the early 2000s, work was intensified. The first three hydroelectric units were commissioned between 2004 and 2008. During its operation, the Svetlinskaya HPP generated 14 billion kWh of electricity.
Alrosa is the largest diamond mining company and a world leader in diamond production volumes and proven reserves. It is the only company in the world that covers all stages of the diamond and diamond jewelry production chain – from geological exploration to the creation of diamonds and jewelry that includes them. The main mining assets of Alrosa are located in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) and the Arkhangelsk region, where more than 20 diamond deposits are being developed. The group holds about 30% of the global and 90% of the Russian diamond mining market. As of the end of 2025, the production volume amounted to 29.8 million carats of diamonds. The company’s reserves exceed 1 billion carats of diamonds.
In 2024, Alrosa became the first mining company in the world to documentarily confirm the carbon neutrality of its production and products (natural diamonds). As of today, 76% of the electricity consumed by Alrosa comes from renewable sources, and the carbon footprint of the diamonds mined by the company is negative, amounting to -1.18 kg CO2-eq. per carat.
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