OREANDA-NEWS. July 09, 2009. In June, representatives of JSC “Institute Hydroproject” made a working visit to Kabardino-Balkarsky branch of JSC “RusHydro” (in the town of Nalchik) with the aim to resolve outstanding issues connected with water diversion tunnel of Kashkhatau HEPP (within the Chain of Nizhne-Cherekskie Hydropalnts) and upgrade the design solutions related to the usage of Cherek river flow in power–generating purposes.

Specialists of JSC “Institute Hydroproject” inspected the state of tunnel driving at the inlet and outlet portal of Kashkhatau HEPP water diversion tunnel, conducted a meeting with the representatives of Kabardino-Balkarsky branch of JSC “RusHydro” directorate. Based on the results of this work, a decision was made that field supervision is necessary during the implementation of drivage. Besides, a section of river Cherek Balkarsky was surveyed from settlement Babugent to settlement Verkhnyaya Balkaria and siting for HEPP Goluboye Ozero (Blue Lake) structures were preliminarily spotted. This station is supposed to become the third station in the chain of Cherekskie Hydropalnts – main unit section line, station unit, two routes of derivation tunnel.

The territory under survey is partially within the wildlife preservation area; that is why it was decided to locate all the structures beyond its boundaries to minimize the probable negative effect onto the preserved ecosystems.

The chain of Cherekskie Hydropalnts plays a considerable role in social and economical development of the region – it provides for secure power supply to Kabardino-Balkar republic. The existing construction infrastructure and availability of trained staff make the basis for further development of rivers in Kabardino-Balkaria.