Yuzhno-Yakutsk thermal power plant: major investments and a bet on Chinese turbines

The Russian Ministry of Energy has proposed to approve capital investments in the construction of the Yuzhno-Yakutsk thermal power plant, which is being implemented by Gazprom Energoholding. According to preliminary calculations, the project costs will amount to 128.8 billion rubles in 2025 prices (excluding the cost of technological connection to the grid).

The main parameters of the project:

• The design capacity of the plant is 313 MW (330 MW was originally planned).

• The plant should cover the energy deficit of the Eastern landfill and support the development of local infrastructure.

• The facility is scheduled to be launched in 2027.

Related infrastructure and additional costs:

• To provide fuel, a 7.5km long gas pipeline will be required from the Power of Siberia highway at a cost of about 4.9 billion rubles.

• Technological connection to the electric grid is estimated at 14.8 billion rubles; the total amount will be known after passing the Glavgosexpertiza.

Technological features:

• The first stage, consisting of two gas turbine units, is scheduled to be launched in September 2026; the steam turbine is scheduled to be commissioned in autumn 2027.

• To shorten the construction time, Gazprom Energoholding intends to use Chinese AGT-110 gas turbines manufactured by AECC Gas Turbine, designed based on the GTD-110. Such turbines have not previously been operated on a commercial scale outside of China.

At the same time, a shift in the timing of the commissioning of two new power units at Neryungrinskaya GRES (Rushydro) is being discussed. The commission&s materials propose postponing the commissioning of power units from the beginning of 2026 to December 2026 and July 2026, respectively, but Rushydro&s management insists on a later date (2028-2029) due to delays in the supply of equipment.

Yuzhno-Yakutsk TPP will become one of the key energy facilities in the Far East, significantly increasing the generation and reliability of energy supply to the Eastern landfill. Ambitious investments and the transition to the use of imported Chinese turbines reflect the desire to accelerate the implementation of strategically significant projects, despite technological and logistical challenges.

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