Berezovskaya GRES: 2,400 MW Coal Power Plant in Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia

Berezovskaya GRES is a major coal-fired power plant located in the Krasnoyarsk Krai region of Russia, near the city of Sharypovo. With an installed capacity of 2,400 MW, it ranks among the largest coal power stations in Russia and plays a key role in the Siberian power system. The plant is owned and operated by PJSC Unipro, a subsidiary of the German energy company Uniper, and has been operational since the 1980s. The plant utilizes coal as its primary fuel, sourced from the nearby Kansk-Achinsk coal basin, which is known for its lignite deposits. The technology employed is typical for large Soviet-era coal plants, with subcritical boiler units. In terms of regulatory context, Russian power plants are subject to national emission standards under Federal Law No. 7-FZ on Environmental Protection and sector-specific regulations for thermal power plants. However, Russia has not adopted market-based mechanisms like the EU Emissions Trading System, and emission limits are generally less stringent than in Western countries. Berezovskaya GRES is a critical asset for the Siberian energy grid, providing baseload power to industrial and residential consumers. Its large capacity and coal dependence result in significant CO2 and other pollutant emissions, contributing to regional air quality concerns. The plant's location in a sparsely populated area reduces direct population exposure, but its environmental footprint remains substantial due to the scale of coal combustion.

The plant's coal combustion releases substantial CO2, SOx, NOx, and particulate matter, contributing to regional air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Its location in Siberia, a region with cold winters, means the plant operates year-round for heating and electricity, amplifying its environmental impact. The use of lignite from the Kansk-Achinsk basin, which has lower energy density and higher moisture content, results in higher emissions per MWh compared to hard coal. Proximity to the Yenisei River basin may also pose risks of water contamination from ash disposal.