Zaporizhzhia Hydroelectric Power Station
Zaporizka oblast
The Zaporizhzhia Hydroelectric Power Station, also known as the Dnieper Hydroelectric Station or DniproHES, is a major hydroelectric dam located in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine. Constructed between 1927 and 1932 as part of the Soviet GOELRO electrification plan, it was designed to harness the power of the Dnieper River to fuel industrial growth, particularly aluminum production and steel manufacturing. At 760 meters long and 60 meters high, the dam creates the Dnieper Reservoir, which stretches 129 kilometers upstream, facilitating navigation and power generation. The station was once the largest in the Soviet Union and the third largest worldwide. Destroyed during World War II to impede German forces, it was rebuilt shortly after and expanded from 1969 to 1980 to quadruple its output. The dam features shipping canals with locks allowing vessels to bypass the structure, and a highway and bridge enable vehicle crossings. Despite recent challenges including missile strikes in 2024 that halted power production, the station remains a symbol of Soviet-era engineering and Ukraine's energy infrastructure.
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Astuce: Visitors are advised to check current access conditions due to recent regional conflicts. The best time to visit is during spring and summer for clearer views and comfortable weather. While public tours are limited, advance inquiries through official channels may provide opportunities. No specific ticketing information is generally required, but planning ahead is recommended.
Faits intéressants
- •The dam was once the third-largest hydroelectric power station in the world when completed in 1932.
- •It was designed with input from American engineers who were awarded Soviet honors for their work.
- •The dam's construction flooded the Dnieper Rapids, a significant natural barrier on the river.
- •During World War II, the dam was destroyed to slow German forces and remove 19% of regional power capacity.
- •The reservoir created by the dam stretches 129 kilometers upstream, making navigation possible far beyond the dam.
- •The dam includes shipping canals with staircase locks to allow vessels to bypass the structure.
Histoire
The idea to tame the Dnieper River's rapids dates back to the late 19th century with various engineering proposals aimed at improving navigation and harnessing hydroelectric power.
The dam's construction began in 1927 under the Soviet GOELRO plan to electrify and industrialize the region.
It was completed in 1932, becoming the largest Soviet power plant at the time.
During World War II, the dam was deliberately destroyed to hinder German advancement but was rebuilt between 1944 and 1950.
A major expansion occurred from 1969 to 1980, significantly increasing its capacity.
The station has since undergone modernization efforts and continues to play a critical role in Ukraine's energy system.
Guide du lieu
Main Dam Structure1927-1932
The massive concrete dam stretches 760 meters across the Dnieper River, standing 60 meters tall. It controls water flow and creates the vast Dnieper Reservoir upstream.
Shipping Canals and Locks1930s-1940s
Two shipping canals with staircase locks allow ships to bypass the dam, facilitating navigation upstream as far as the Pripyat River. One canal is original but disused; the other is newer and operational.
Power Station Facilities1932, expanded 1969-1980
The power station houses turbines and generators that convert the river's kinetic energy into electricity, serving the Donets–Kryvyi Rih industrial region and beyond. It underwent major expansions from 1969 to 1980 and modernizations in the 1990s.
Contact
Téléphone: 0612 239 359