QAZAQ GREEN. One of Russia's largest solar power plants is set to be constructed in Dagestan. The project, led by Novaya Energiya LLC, will see the development of the 100 MW Derbent Solar Power Plant (SPP), according to Mirmol.

The Dagestan government has allocated 305 hectares of land for the project, with negotiations currently underway with a general contractor to handle construction, installation, and equipment supply.

The total project budget is estimated at 6.2 billion rubles, following an earlier cooperation agreement with the Solar Systems Group.

Once operational, the Derbent SPP is expected to:

• Generate 140 million kWh of clean energy annually;
• Create 25 permanent jobs, with an additional 200 jobs during the construction phase;
• Contribute 60 million rubles annually to Dagestan's budget through tax revenue.

Construction is scheduled to begin this year, with the plant expected to be fully operational by 2025, making Dagestan a key region for solar energy in Russia.

Dagestan’s head, Sergey Melikov, has emphasized the importance of developing solar energy in the region, highlighting its potential to provide sustainable electricity to residents, as well as to agricultural, industrial, and tourism sectors. Public figure Said Ninalalov also noted that the programme for new solar and wind power plants, developed by the Dagestan Ministry of Energy’s renewable energy office, is central to the republic’s push for energy independence.

"Today, renewable energy sources (RES) are the only viable option for the region. Building new hydroelectric power plants is both costly and environmentally challenging, as it can lead to flooding of agricultural land and residential areas. Thanks to Russia’s power connection contract programme, the cost of electricity supplied by RES is subsidized, making solar and wind projects highly profitable," Ninalalov explained.

The efforts of the renewable energy project office, led by Artur Alibekov, director of EnEnergy, have attracted multi-billion ruble investments to Dagestan. Major companies like NovaWind, Hevel, and Solar Systems are now involved in the construction of RES facilities across the region. These projects promise to bring new jobs, clean electricity, and increased tax revenues to the republic.

The Ministry of Energy of Dagestan is currently preparing even larger projects, including the 830 MW Nogayskaya Hydroelectric Power Plant, which, once completed, will be one of the largest in Russia, rivaling the Chirkeyskaya HPP in power output.

Ninalalov expressed optimism that the region’s leadership will continue to support new RES projects, stating, "These initiatives are crucial for the well-being of our republic and its people."