Russian renewable energy developer SamurEnergy has commissioned a small-scale run-of-river hydropower plant and a solar-plus-storage facility in the southern republic of Dagestan, aiming to ease peak electricity deficits in the mountainous region. The two facilities, located in adjacent districts near the border with Azerbaijan, represent a localized approach to grid stability in remote areas.
The Samur small hydropower plant, located in the Dokuzparinsky district, has a capacity of 0.99 megawatts. Built without a dam or reservoir, the plant diverts a portion of the river flow through a pipeline to a downslope turbine, utilizing a high head of over 200 meters with a water flow of 0.5 cubic meters per second. According to regional energy ministry estimates, the plant is expected to generate up to 4 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually.
The hydropower project integrates with existing agricultural irrigation infrastructure managed by the regional water authority. By using existing channels, the developer avoided the environmental footprint of new water diversion systems. Local officials noted that such dual-use infrastructure helps secure agricultural water supply while producing clean energy for local mountain communities.
In the neighboring Akhtynsky district, SamurEnergy launched the Akhtsa solar power plant, which has a capacity of 1 megawatt. The facility is paired with a 2.1 megawatt-hour battery storage system and was completed in five months. It is designed to generate approximately 1.5 million kilowatt-hours per year.
Unlike standard solar installations that feed electricity directly into the grid during daylight hours, the Akhtsa facility stores daytime generation to release it during evening peak demand periods. Company officials said this solar-plus-storage model is intended for remote, energy-deficient areas in southern Russia where peak capacity shortages are common.
Following the commissioning, the developer inspected the construction site of the Orel small hydropower plant in the Rutulsky district. The 5.05-megawatt project is the first small-scale hydro facility in Dagestan to be financed under Russia’s state renewable energy support program, which guarantees investment returns through capacity payment contracts. The project, which will utilize a turbine manufactured by the Russian company TurboGreen, is scheduled for commissioning in 2027.
