Chita-1 power station
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Chita-1 power station (Читинская ТЭЦ-1) is an operating power station of at least 472-megawatts (MW) in Chita, Trans-Baikal, Russia with multiple units, some of which are not currently operating.
Location
Table 1: Project-level location details
| Plant name | Location | Coordinates (WGS 84) |
|---|---|---|
| Chita-1 power station | Chita, Chita, Trans-Baikal, Russia | 52.053534, 113.357599 (exact) |
Unit-level coordinates (WGS 84):
- Unit 1, Unit 2, Unit 3, Unit 4, Unit 5, Unit 6, Unit 7: 52.053534, 113.357599
- Unit 3R: 52.054393, 113.357217
Project Details
Table 2: Unit-level details
| Unit name | Status | Fuel(s) | Capacity (MW) | Technology | CHP | Start year | Retired year | Emergency/Backup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unit 1 | Operating | coal: lignite[1] | 60 | subcritical | yes | 1965 | – | False |
| Unit 2 | Operating | coal: lignite[1] | 60 | subcritical | yes | 1966 | – | False |
| Unit 3 | Retired[2] | coal: lignite[1] | 80 | subcritical | yes | 1966[3] | 2026 | False |
| Unit 3R | Operating[2][4][5] | coal: lignite[1][6][7] | 100[5] | unknown | – | 2026[2][5] | – | False |
| Unit 4 | Operating | coal: lignite[1] | 87 | subcritical | yes | 1968 | – | False |
| Unit 5 | Operating | coal: lignite[1] | 87 | subcritical | yes | 1972 | – | False |
| Unit 6 | Operating | coal: lignite[1] | 78.8 | subcritical | yes | 1973 | – | False |
| Unit 7 | Shelved[8] | coal: unknown[1] | 360[9][10] | unknown | – | 2030 (planned)[11] | – | False |
Table 3: Unit-level ownership and operator details
| Unit name | Owner | Parent |
|---|---|---|
| Unit 1 | Territorial Generating Company No 14 PJSC [100%][12] | Territorial Generating Company No 14 PJSC [100.0%] |
| Unit 2 | Territorial Generating Company No 14 PJSC [100%][12] | Territorial Generating Company No 14 PJSC [100.0%] |
| Unit 3 | Territorial Generating Company No 14 PJSC [100%][12] | Territorial Generating Company No 14 PJSC [100.0%] |
| Unit 3R | Territorial Generating Company No 14 PJSC [100%][12] | Territorial Generating Company No 14 PJSC [100.0%] |
| Unit 4 | Territorial Generating Company No 14 PJSC [100%][12] | Territorial Generating Company No 14 PJSC [100.0%] |
| Unit 5 | Territorial Generating Company No 14 PJSC [100%][12] | Territorial Generating Company No 14 PJSC [100.0%] |
| Unit 6 | Territorial Generating Company No 14 PJSC [100%][12] | Territorial Generating Company No 14 PJSC [100.0%] |
| Unit 7 | Territorial Generating Company No 14 PJSC [100%][12] | Territorial Generating Company No 14 PJSC [100.0%] |
Project-level coal details
- Coal source(s): domestic
Ownership Tree
This ownership tree is part of the Global Energy Ownership Tracker, a project of Global Energy Monitor.
Background
The six-unit coal-fired Chita-1 combined heat-and-power station is owned by TGC-14, which used to be part of Russian Railways. In early 2022, TGC-14 was sold to the Far Eastern Management Company (not to be confused with the Far Eastern Generating Company owned by RysHydro). The Far Eastern Management Company acquired 92% of the shares in TGC-14. Reportedly the company belongs to the ex vice-governor of Primorsky Kray Victor Miasnik, which could be linked to Sinara Group.[13]
The plant’s six units were brought online between 1965 and 1973.[14][15][16][17] The plant provides electricity to the city of Chita and delivers electricity to the overall power network, as well as satisfies 80% of demand for centralized heat of the regional centre and nearby villages.[15]
In April 2023, local residents complained of the heavy smoke coming from the station. The company explained that this was due to the start-up of another boiler where heavy fuel oil was used for start-up.[18]
Electricity generation reached 2,747 million kWh in the 11 months of 2023, which was 6% higher than in the same period in 2022.[19]
As of 2024, the plant's coal was supplied from Kharanorsky Coal Mine 350km away from the plant and Chitaugol Vostochny Coal mine 50km from the plant.[20]
Modernization
During 2023, Units 2 and 5 were being modernized and works on Unit 2 appeared to be completed.[19] In June 2024, the management of TGC-14 commented that the replacement of turbine No. 5 was postponed by the decision of the government commission due to the significant workload of the manufacturing plants. As a result, the launch of 5th turbine unit was postponed from December 2027 to December 2029.[20] In July 2024, it was reported that TGC-14 signed an agreement with the Urals Turbine factory to supply a 100MW unit. Commissioning will commence in 2028.[21][22] In addition. TGC-14 will modernize two boiler units.[23] As of May 2025, works were in progress.[24]
As of October 2025, the new 100 MW generator has been acquired and was reported to be planned for installation by the 2025-2026 winter time.[25] In April 2026, it became clear that, despite earlier announcements that Unit 5 would receive a new turbogenerator, the upgrade had in fact been carried out at Unit 3 instead.
In the early hours of 5 February 2026, a fault occurred during testing of the new generator of turbine unit No. 3, causing protective systems to trip and leaving a significant part of Chita without power and heat. Power supply was restored by 4:47 a.m. and normal station operations resumed by 15:00 the same day. A subsequent inspection by the Chernovsky district prosecutor's office and Rostekhnadzor found safety and operational violations at the station, though these were reported as unrelated to the accident itself.[26][27]
Proposed Expansion
Construction of the third stage of the power plant was commenced in the 1980s. A 200m chimney was commissioned in 1989, the installation steel frame of the working building was completed in 1980 (but dismantled in 2019). All work was stopped in the 1990s. In August 2019, the regional government officials stated that no funds will be allocated for the completion of the third phase as until 2025, the region was not expected to have a power deficit.[15][28]
In early 2022, it appeared that the project was being revived under the new ownership of TGC-14.[29] A media source from April 2023 referred to active discussions of the project with capacity of 460MW, which would allow to mothball the 12 MW Chita-2 power station and close 22 local boiler houses.[30] However the cost of the project is estimated at RUB 27 billion which is equivalent to two times the annual budget of Chita, so the project would need to be funded by other investment sources and financial instruments.[30] A media source from March 2023 stated that the project needed a federal approval to proceed.[31] Several sources from 2023 stated that the project's capacity is now 230MW.[32][33]
As of May 2023, it was not clear whether the potential expansion project would be coal-fired or gas-fired, given the news on the potential conversion to gas of the plant in the same time period.[34] In autumn 2023, the project continued to be mentioned by media sources, but without concrete implementation plans.[32][35] In summer 2024, TGC-14 stated that they may participate with the expansion project (third phase) in future capacity tenders.[20][36] The same was reiterated by the company in an interview in November 2024.[37] However, the project was not part of the updated 'General scheme of power assets allocation up to 2042' released in December 2024.[38]
As of October 2025, there was a discussion between the owner company TGK-14 and the local government of Zabaikalskiy Krai on the need of a new generation addition of 360 MW at the power station, a change from the previously mentioned 460 MW.[39] As of May 2026, no further developments on the Unit 7 expansion were reported. The project remained absent from both the General Scheme of Power Sector Development to 2042 and the Scheme and Programme for the Development of Russia's Electric Power Systems for 2026-2031.[40]
Conversion to Gas
The possibility of converting the power plant to gas was mentioned in March 2023, provided that a trunk pipeline is laid to Zabaikalsky Krai.[34] In mid-2024, TGC-14 referred to the theoretical conversion of its assets from coal to gas, however the cost of doing so has not been estimated yet.[20]
Air Quality
A local media report from March 2026 noted that the station's flue gas cleaning system consisted of 13 MV-UOORGRES-type mechanical cyclone dust collectors, which had been in operation since 20 August 1980 — approximately 45 years, well beyond the typical normative service life of 20–25 years for such equipment. The report noted that this technology is less effective at capturing fine particulate matter compared to modern systems such as electrostatic precipitators or bag filters. Chita is included in Russia's federal Clean Air programme, which targets a 26.6% reduction in emissions in the city.[41]
Corporate Fraud Investigation
In July 2025, the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman of TGK-14 were arrested on suspicion of participating in large-scale fraud related to tariff formation in the company’s regions of operation. According to the rating agency “Expert RA”, the criminal case created significant uncertainty regarding the company’s corporate governance and future financial plans, increasing risks of higher financial pressure and reduced liquidity. Despite the allegations, the company reported that all operations and investment programs under the COMMod and KOM NGO mechanisms continued as planned.[42] The investigation was completed in April 2026; the Chairman remained in pre-trial detention while the Deputy Chairman was transferred to house arrest due to deteriorating health and partially admitted guilt, with the total alleged damage estimated at 4.5 billion roubles (approximately US$49 million).[43]
Financing
Unit 5R
The modernisation of Unit 5 was carried out under Russia's KOMMod programme (Capacity Supply Agreement for Modernisation), a state-administered mechanism under which generators commit to modernise existing capacity in exchange for guaranteed capacity payments over a fixed period, providing a regulated return on investment.
In March 2024, TGK-14 held talks with DOM.RF and InfraVEB on financing the modernisation through infrastructure bonds issued by DOM.RF.[44] The financing agreement was not concluded. Equipment procurement proceeded regardless: a contract for the new turbine generator was signed with NPO ELSIB in 2024, and the unit was installed in September 2025. TGK-14 financed the works through corporate funds, estimated at approximately RUB 5 billion (around $56 million).[45]
Articles and Resources
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 https://www.gem.wiki/Coal_source_methodology_for_the_Global_Coal_Plant_Tracker.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 https://www.eastrussia.ru/news/v-chite-ustranyayut-posledstviya-blekauta-iz-za-avarii-na-tets-1/.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ https://www.atomic-energy.ru/news/2024/08/07/148343.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ https://vk.com/video-90022099_456275559.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 https://news.tgk-14.com/na-chitinskoy-tets-1-zamenyat-generator/.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ https://www.bigpowernews.ru/news/document113561.phtml.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ https://www.so-ups.ru/future-planning/sipr-ees/.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20250108004111/https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/6775117. Archived from the original on 2025-01-08.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ https://75.ru/news/395865.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20250108024250/https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?client=ca-pub-4306008583934527&output=html&h=600&slotname=7776681889&adk=106325000&adf=1128013122&pi=t.ma~as.7776681889&w=300&abgtt=6&lmt=1736304169&format=300x600&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftranssibinfo.com%2Fnews%2F2023-04-12%2Fstroitelstvo-tretiey-ocheredi-chitinskoy-tets-1-potrebuet-bolee-27-mlrd-rubley-2900674&wgl=1&uach=WyJMaW51eCIsIjUuMTUuMCIsIng4NiIsIiIsIjEzMC4wLjY3MjMuNTgiLG51bGwsMCxudWxsLCI2NCIsW1siQ2hyb21pdW0iLCIxMzAuMC42NzIzLjU4Il0sWyJHb29nbGUgQ2hyb21lIiwiMTMwLjAuNjcyMy41OCJdLFsiTm90P0FfQnJhbmQiLCI5OS4wLjAuMCJdXSwwXQ..&dt=1736304169797&bpp=3&bdt=8949&idt=193&shv=r20250106&mjsv=m202501030101&ptt=9&saldr=aa&abxe=1&cookie=ID%3D8738229677048bc7%3AT%3D1736304167%3ART%3D1736304167%3AS%3DALNI_MadCKdlrdDZrWh-8lxa9C7HctUxjw&gpic=UID%3D00000fb1a5483bfb%3AT%3D1736304167%3ART%3D1736304167%3AS%3DALNI_MYas0PDzJzyP8pxdf3o_0o3eCpjwA&eo_id_str=ID%3D347f71569572372c%3AT%3D1736304167%3ART%3D1736304167%3AS%3DAA-AfjaT2knk8SDdsbz6u5zxWsvj&prev_fmts=0x0&nras=1&correlator=6881088731591&frm=20&pv=1&u_tz=0&u_his=2&u_h=600&u_w=800&u_ah=600&u_aw=800&u_cd=24&u_sd=1&dmc=13&adx=1033&ady=140&biw=1385&bih=761&scr_x=0&scr_y=0&eid=31089442%2C31089447%2C95349405%2C31089476%2C95347432&oid=2&pvsid=2255819014300023&tmod=493604110&uas=0&nvt=1&fc=1920&brdim=10%2C10%2C10%2C10%2C800%2C0%2C1400%2C900%2C1400%2C761&vis=1&rsz=%7Co%7CeE%7C&abl=NS&pfx=0&fu=0&bc=31&bz=1&td=1&tdf=2&psd=W251bGwsbnVsbCxudWxsLDNd&nt=1&ifi=2&uci=a!2&fsb=1&dtd=206. Archived from the original on 2025-01-08.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20240125144227/https://vostokmedia.com/news/2023-11-20/inna-scheglova-tretyu-ochered-chitinskoy-tets-1-postroyat-do-2030-goda-3099366. Archived from the original on 2024-01-25.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 12.6 12.7 https://web.archive.org/web/20240125144339/https://www.so-ups.ru/memorial-day/history-event/news/7556/. Archived from the original on 2024-01-25.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ "ОАО РЖД избавилось от энергетики". kommersant.ru. January 11, 2022.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ Chita TPP-1 Coal Power Plant Russia, Global Energy Observatory, accessed June 2018.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 Читинская ТЭЦ-1, Wikipedia (Russian), accessed June 2018 and November 2022.
- ↑ "Основное оборудование филиала "Читинская генерация"" (PDF). tgc-14.com. 2014. Retrieved November 2022 via the Wayback Machine.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|access-date=(help)CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Отчет эмитента 2021, 12 месяцев". https://e-disclosure.ru/. 2022.
{{cite web}}: External link in|website= - ↑ "Черный дым ТЭЦ Читы — норма? В ТГК объяснили причину пугающих выбросов". chita.ru. April 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ 19.0 19.1 "Председатель Совета директоров ПАО «ТГК-14» Константин Люльчев оценил реализацию инвестпроектов на Читинской ТЭЦ-1". /in-power.ru/. December 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 "«Тарифы позволяют обеспечивать инвестиционную деятельность»". www.kommersant.ru/. June 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Реконструкция Читинской ТЭЦ-1 обеспечит столицу Забайкалья дополнительными мощностями". energyland.info. July 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Единая программа реконструкции Читинской ТЭЦ-1 обеспечит краевую столицу дополнительными мощностями". 75.ru/. July 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Полностью реконструированный котлоагрегат появится в 2025 году на крупнейшей в Забайкалье ТЭЦ". //www.chita.ru/. December 2024.
{{cite web}}: External link in|website= - ↑ "На Читинской ТЭЦ-1 заменят генератор". 75.ru. May 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ news.tgk-14.com https://news.tgk-14.com/na-chitinskoy-tets-1-zamenyat-generator/. Retrieved 2025-10-09.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ "В Чите устраняют последствия блэкаута из-за аварии на ТЭЦ-1". eastrussia.ru. February 5, 2026.
- ↑ "Нарушения правил безопасности и эксплуатации нашли на ТЭЦ-1 в Чите". chita.ru. March 13, 2026.
- ↑ "Зачем городу третья очередь Читинской ТЭЦ-1?". www.chita.ru. August 2019.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Строительство третьей очереди ТЭЦ-1 будут обсуждать с властями новые владельцы ТГК-14". www.chita.ru. February 2022.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ 30.0 30.1 "Строительство третьей очереди Читинской ТЭЦ-1 потребует более 27 млрд рублей". transsibinfo.com. April 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Депутат Госдумы Юрий Станкевич изучил возможности модернизации Читинской ТЭЦ-1". gtrkchita.ru. March 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ 32.0 32.1 "Инна Щеглова: третью очередь Читинской ТЭЦ-1 построят до 2030 года". vostokmedia.com. November 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Депутат Госдумы Юрий Станкевич обсудил с энергетиками ТГК-14 развитие системы теплоснабжения Читы". minenergo.75.ru/. March 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ 34.0 34.1 "ТЭЦ-1 и ТЭЦ-2 могут перевести на газ, если в Забайкалье проведут газопровод". chita.ru. March 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "ТГК-14 и ДОМ. РФ будут модернизировать ТЭЦ в Забайкалье и Бурятии". https://transsibinfo.com/. October 2023.
{{cite web}}: External link in|website= - ↑ "Правительство Забайкальского края поддержит участие ПАО «ТГК-14» в конкурсе на строительство новой генерации". 75.ru. July 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Читинская ТЭЦ-1 показала рост выработки электроэнергии на 15% в 2024 году". 75rus.org. November 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "ПРАВИТЕЛЬСТВО РОССИЙСКОЙ ФЕДЕРАЦИИ Р А С П О Р Я Ж Е Н И Е от 30 декабря 2024 г. № 4153-р МОСКВА" (PDF). /www.so-ups.ru. December 2024.
{{cite web}}: line feed character in|title=at position 35 (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Официальный портал Забайкальского края | Вопросы обеспечения теплом Читы обсудил губернатор Забайкалья с председателем совета директоров ТГК-14". 75.ru. Retrieved 2025-10-09.
- ↑ "Схема и программа развития электроэнергетических систем России на 2026–2031 годы". so-ups.ru. 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Почему Чита задыхается: ТЭЦ-1 работает на очистке дымовых газов 1980 года". zab.ru. March 5, 2026.
- ↑ "«Эксперт РА» понизил кредитный рейтинг ПАО «ТГК-14»" [Expert RA downgrades credit rating of TGK-14]. RAEX (in Russian). Jul 22, 2025. Retrieved Dec 10, 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link) CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Совладельцы ТГК-14 обвиняются в хищении почти 4,5 миллиарда рублей". baikal24.ru. April 2026.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "ТГК-14, ДОМ.РФ и ИнфраВЭБ обсудили взаимодействие по проектам реконструкции Читинской ТЭЦ-1 и строительства Улан-Удэнской ТЭЦ-2". vebinfra.ru. March 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Арест «верхушки» ТГК-14: разбор по фактам". www.infpol.ru. June 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
Additional data
To access additional data, including an interactive map of coal-fired power stations, a downloadable dataset, and summary data, please visit the Global Coal Plant Tracker on the Global Energy Monitor website.
