Russia’s En+ Group and the regional government of Buryatia have agreed on the next steps for the construction of the Mokskoy hydropower complex, a 1.1 trillion ruble (about $12 billion) project designed to address power shortages in the Russian Far East. The project, located on the Vitim River, has entered the practical preparation stage.
The planned energy complex, situated in the Muysky district about 30 kilometers south of the Baikal-Amur Mainline railway, will consist of two plants. The main Mokskaya plant will have a capacity of 1,200 megawatts, while its regulating companion, the Ivanovskaya plant, will add 210 megawatts.
A joint working group has been established to oversee the development. En+ has finalized a preliminary power transmission scheme and is drafting technical specifications for engineering surveys, which will include geological, hydrological, and environmental studies. The developers aim to commission the hydropower complex by 2038.
The additional power generation is intended to support the ongoing expansion of the Eastern Range railways, particularly the Baikal-Amur Mainline, which Russia is upgrading to boost trade capacity with Asian markets. The electricity will also supply future mining projects developing mineral deposits in the region, while improving the stability of the power grids in Buryatia, the Irkutsk region, and the Zabaykalsky territory.
The project has received federal backing and is included in Russia’s official electricity development plan through 2042. Despite current economic challenges, federal officials have confirmed that state support mechanisms for investors will remain in place, while Buryatia’s regional government has pledged to assist En+ with the construction of supporting transport and grid infrastructure.
