OREANDA-NEWS. On 17 March 2008 was announced, that the Government of the Russian Federation approved the general plan of the electric power industry facilities location till 2020, according to the official information received from the Ministry of Industry and Power. Minister Viktor Khristenko noted that 'this document is key for the branch development in conditions of RAO UES of Russia Company’s activity termination. It is a special document where the whole electric power industry on the federal level is developed on the map of the country'.

The general plan is a system document of inter-branch planning which touches issues of coal, gas industry, railway transportation. According to the official statement, the plan will serve as a basis for development of the corresponding regional programs. 
In particular, the general plan outlined facilities of the electric power industry of the Irkutsk area. The document names hydroelectric power stations of 300 MW capacity and above, including hydroelectric power stations of the Angara-Yenisey Cascade: Bratsk, Irkutsk and Ust-Ilimsk stations. The plan does not stipulate changing the capacity of stations. The document also mentions construction of a new station in the region that is of Telma Hydroelectric Power Station (Bodaibo, the Mamakan River). The hydroelectric power station consisting of three blocks will be constructed by 2016; its designed capacity will equal 450 MW.

Among the thermal power stations of  500 MW capacity and above of the Irkutsk power supply system, the general plan takes into account the five already existing coal stations - Irkutsk State District Power Station-10 (Angarsk), Irkutsk Thermal Power Station-9 (Angarsk), Ust-Ilimsk Thermal Power Station, Novo-Irkutsk Thermal Power Station (settlement of Markovo), Novo-Ziminsk Thermal Power Station. The document assumes increase in capacities of Novo-Ziminsk Thermal Power Station from 240 MW (according to the data for 2006) up to 760 MW by years 2016 - 2020; increase in capacity of Ust-Ilimsk Thermal Power Station is planned to be implemented from 525 MW to 575 MW. Besides, the general plan stipulates construction of two gas turbine installations in the north of the area and two thermal stations in Irkutsk city and Tulun area. Commissioning of two gas turbine installation (one of which will be located in the Ust-Kut of the Kirensk region, and the second will be located near Verhnechonsk oil and gas deposit) is planned to be performed after the year 2011. Capacity of the first station will equal 225 MW, by the years 2016 - 2020 - up to 300 MW, maximum figure will be up to 600 MW. Planned capacity Verhnechonsk oil and gas deposit is 600 MW. Both the installations will operate using associated oil gas. Baikal Thermal Station (Tulun region) is planned to be started by 2011, its capacity will equal 330 MW; by 2020 it will be increased up to 1.32 thousand MW. The thermal station will operate using the Tulun coal. Besides, according to the general plan, a gas thermal station of 450 MW capacity will be put in operation in Irkutsk by 2020, at introduction of additional capacities of 900 MW.

The general plan also includes electric network facilities of the Irkutsk area and plans on their development for the purpose of power supply of the region and new manufactures, and also maintenance of communication of the power industry of the area with other territories.