Rigas HES
Encyclopedia
Riga's Hydroelectric Power Plant is located just beyond Riga
's southern border. It is geographically located in the town of Salaspils
. Total installed power generating capacity is 402 MW. There are six generators, two transformers and two 330 kV power lines (to Salaspils and Bišuciems).
was constructed across the Daugava River through the middle of Doles Sala, half of which has since been flooded to make room for Riga Reservoir. Along with Doles Sala, there have been several other smaller island
s drowned in order to fill the reservoir. The dam
was built in the late 1970s. Aside from its main purpose of keeping the reservoir contained, its top is being used as a motor vehicle highway
. A railroad has also been constructed on the dam, but it has been utilized only during construction of powerplant and have been demolished in beginning of 21st century. This is because there are no existing railroads on the Daugava's left shore. This railroad began at Salaspils railway station, and ended at approximately middle of Doles sala.
in the middle of reservoir, it carries two 330 kV lines (from Salaspils
to Jelgava
and from Salaspils to Rīgas HES), shore to shore distance there is approximately 1 kilometre (0.621372736649807 mi).
Rigas HES is an important part of Riga's development. It is the primary source of electricity in Riga, while Riga reservoir is a source of tap water
for the majority of Riga residents. In addition, the power plant is used as a compensation plant (pumped-storage power plant) for TEC2 thermal power plant to regulate voltage in electrical networks and to compensate the power deficiencies.
The power plant is operated by Latvenergo
.
Riga
Riga is the capital and largest city of Latvia. With 702,891 inhabitants Riga is the largest city of the Baltic states, one of the largest cities in Northern Europe and home to more than one third of Latvia's population. The city is an important seaport and a major industrial, commercial,...
's southern border. It is geographically located in the town of Salaspils
Salaspils
Salaspils is a town in Latvia, the administrative centre of Salaspils municipality. The town is situated on the northern bank of the Daugava River 18 kilometers to the south-east of the city of Riga.-History:...
. Total installed power generating capacity is 402 MW. There are six generators, two transformers and two 330 kV power lines (to Salaspils and Bišuciems).
History
The Riga Hydroelectric Power Plant was put into operation in 1974. In order to build Riga HES, a damDam
A dam is a barrier that impounds water or underground streams. Dams generally serve the primary purpose of retaining water, while other structures such as floodgates or levees are used to manage or prevent water flow into specific land regions. Hydropower and pumped-storage hydroelectricity are...
was constructed across the Daugava River through the middle of Doles Sala, half of which has since been flooded to make room for Riga Reservoir. Along with Doles Sala, there have been several other smaller island
Island
An island or isle is any piece of sub-continental land that is surrounded by water. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls can be called islets, cays or keys. An island in a river or lake may be called an eyot , or holm...
s drowned in order to fill the reservoir. The dam
Dam
A dam is a barrier that impounds water or underground streams. Dams generally serve the primary purpose of retaining water, while other structures such as floodgates or levees are used to manage or prevent water flow into specific land regions. Hydropower and pumped-storage hydroelectricity are...
was built in the late 1970s. Aside from its main purpose of keeping the reservoir contained, its top is being used as a motor vehicle highway
Highway
A highway is any public road. In American English, the term is common and almost always designates major roads. In British English, the term designates any road open to the public. Any interconnected set of highways can be variously referred to as a "highway system", a "highway network", or a...
. A railroad has also been constructed on the dam, but it has been utilized only during construction of powerplant and have been demolished in beginning of 21st century. This is because there are no existing railroads on the Daugava's left shore. This railroad began at Salaspils railway station, and ended at approximately middle of Doles sala.
Description
There is a powerline pylonRiga Hydroelectric Power Plant Crossing Pylon
The Riga Hydroelectric Power Plant Crossing Pylon is an overhead powerline crossing of the Daugava River, near Salaspils in the Latvia.The present crossing was built in 1974, and includes one 112-metre tall lattice tower....
in the middle of reservoir, it carries two 330 kV lines (from Salaspils
Salaspils
Salaspils is a town in Latvia, the administrative centre of Salaspils municipality. The town is situated on the northern bank of the Daugava River 18 kilometers to the south-east of the city of Riga.-History:...
to Jelgava
Jelgava
-Sports:The city's main football team, FK Jelgava, plays in the Latvian Higher League and won the 2009/2010 Latvian Football Cup.- Notable people :*August Johann Gottfried Bielenstein - linguist, folklorist, ethnographer...
and from Salaspils to Rīgas HES), shore to shore distance there is approximately 1 kilometre (0.621372736649807 mi).
Rigas HES is an important part of Riga's development. It is the primary source of electricity in Riga, while Riga reservoir is a source of tap water
Tap water
Tap water is a principal component of "indoor plumbing", which became available in urban areas of the developed world during the last quarter of the 19th century, and common during the mid-20th century...
for the majority of Riga residents. In addition, the power plant is used as a compensation plant (pumped-storage power plant) for TEC2 thermal power plant to regulate voltage in electrical networks and to compensate the power deficiencies.
The power plant is operated by Latvenergo
Latvenergo
Latvenergo is a state-owned energy company in Latvia. The company generates about 70% of the country's electricity.Latvenergo has three hydroelectric power plants, Pļaviņu HES, Rīgas HES and Ķeguma HES-2, with a total installed capacity of 1,463 MWe, two combined heat power plants with electricity...
.