Moscow, 28 May. On 28 May 2003, the first hydraulic turbine set was launched in the no-load mode at Bureyskaya HPP located in Talakan, Amurskaya Region. The testing of the hydrogenerator was started in strict accordance with the commissioning schedule. During the testing the rotor speed will be adjusted, and the generator winding will be dried. Simultaneously, all parameters will be measured at different rotor speeds.

The no-load testing of the hydrogenerator will last three days, and then the generator will be stopped to carry out high-voltage testing.

The first hydroelectric unit at Bureyskaya HPP is scheduled for launch on 30 June 2003, with the entire project to be completed in 2007. The power plant's installed capacity will be 2,000 MW, with the average annual output of 7.1 TWh. At present, all power plants in the Far East of Russia generate 38 TWh of electricity annually. In 2004, Bureyskaya HPP will be able to produce 2.1 TWh of electricity.