(To mark the 50th anniversary of the GOELRO plan)

P. S. Neporozhny, Minister of Energy and Electrification of the USSR

This year-Leninsky, jubilee. In April, the Soviet people and all progressive humanity solemnly celebrated the centenary of the founder of our party and state, the leader and teacher of all working people. In the same year, another date is celebrated, inextricably linked with the name of Vladimir Ilyich Lenin: at the end of December, 50 years will be celebrated since the VIII All-Russian Congress of Soviets approved the State Plan for Electrification of the country.

V. I. Lenin, as well as before him K. Marx and F. Engels was keenly interested in all the latest achievements in science and technology, including the use of electric energy for practical purposes in various industries and agriculture. In his earliest writings, he wrote about the great progressive and revolutionary significance of electricity.

The victory of the Great October Socialist Revolution and the establishment of Soviet power created real opportunities for the planned electrification of the country. As early as April 1918, in his Outline of the Plan of Scientific and Technical Works, V. I. Lenin pointed out the need to pay special attention "to the electrification of industry and transport and the application of electricity to agriculture." 1
But the outbreak of the civil war and the intervention of the imperialist states prevented the Soviet people from healing the wounds inflicted by the war, from restoring and developing their national economy. Only in late 1919 and early 1920 was the country able to begin peaceful construction. January 23, 1920 Vladimir Ilyich writes a letter to G. M. Krzhizhanovsky, in which he specifically raises the question of the need to draft a state plan on how to make the whole of Russia electric. In this short letter, V. I. Lenin's main thoughts on electrification of the country are outlined, and the basic principles of drawing up a plan are given. This plan was intended to "captivate the masses of workers and class-conscious peasants with a grand program for 10 to 20 years." 2
So great was Lenin's conviction that electrification was the only correct way to restore and develop the country's ruined national economy that he was able to convey his confidence to many, many Soviet people. To draw up the plan, a GOELRO commission was created under the chairmanship of G. M. Krzhizhanovsky. About two hundred major scientists and engineers were involved in this work. Despite the difficult living and working conditions, they

1 V. I. Lenin. PSS. Vol. 36, pp. 228-231.

2 V. I. Lenin. PSS. T, 40, p. 63.

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inspired by Lenin's idea, they worked selflessly for the great goal of electrification of the country. It is characteristic that among all those who worked on the development of the GOELRO plan (this is known from the memoirs of the participants in drawing up the plan), there was a deep conviction in the full reality of Lenin's plan. This greatly helped to complete the preparation of the plan in a relatively short time. V. I. Lenin's constant attention to this work and his participation in solving a number of problems further accelerated the preparation of the necessary materials. 50 years ago, in December 1920, the State Plan for Electrification of Russia was reported to the VIII All-Russian Congress of Soviets and was approved by the delegates. The resolution of the Congress stated: "The Congress expresses its unyielding confidence that all Soviet institutions, all Soviets of Deputies, all workers and laboring peasants will exert all their strength and will not stop at any sacrifice to carry out the plan of electrification of Russia at all costs and in spite of all obstacles." 3
"Despite all obstacles..." And there were many obstacles and difficulties. In addition to the difficulties that always accompany any new business and make it difficult to move along an untrodden path, GOELRO's plan was met with hostility by all the enemies of the Soviet government, from obvious White Guards abroad to Trotskyists and deviators of all stripes. Lenin's bold idea of electrification did not fit into the minds of ordinary people and caused ridicule. Even the famous science fiction writer G. Wells, who at that time met with V. I. Lenin, was unable to understand the reality and greatness of this idea.

In many newspaper and magazine articles, in his speeches, V. I. Lenin tirelessly promoted the idea of electrification, and sought to ensure that the GOELRO plan was deeply scientific and technically sound. Lenin's idea of electrification penetrated more and more deeply into the consciousness of the working people and captured them. Self-activity of the masses emerged. Small thermal and hydraulic power plants were built on their own in individual villages and villages. The construction of the first power plants planned by the GOELRO plan was increasingly expanded: the Shaturskaya and Kashirskaya thermal power plants near Moscow, the Utkina Zavodi state district power station near Leningrad, the Volkhovskaya hydroelectric power station, and others.

Lenin's plan for electrification of Russia-GOELRO, which sounded "almost like a fairy tale" from the rostrum of the VIII All-Russian Congress of Soviets in the unheated Bolshoi Theater, was in fact deeply scientifically based. Its development was carried out in separate eight major economic regions: Northern, Central Industrial, Southern, Volga, Ural, West Siberian, Caucasian, and Turkestan. For each district, a detailed analysis of its features was carried out, development prospects were outlined, the number of district power plants and their capacity were determined. The total amount for all eight districts was 30 power plants with a capacity of 1,750 megawatts4 .

Life confirmed the reality of GOELRO's plan. Program "A", which provides for the restoration and reconstruction of existing power plants, was fully implemented in 1926. Program" B " of the GOELRO plan (commissioning of new district electric power stations) was mostly completed by 1931. By the end date of the GOELRO plan-by 1935-the capacity of all power plants in the country reached almost 7 million kilowatts, of which more than 4.5 million kilowatts accounted for the share of new district power plants.

3 "Directives of the CPSU and the Soviet Government on economic issues". Collection of Documents, Vol. I. Moscow, 1957, p. 201.

4 " Plan of electrification of the RSFSR. Report to the VIII Congress of Soviets of the State Commission for Electrification of Russia", Moscow, 1955, p. 212 (table).

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In the same year, 1935, our country ranked second in Europe and third in the world in terms of electricity production.

The GOELRO plan, in addition to the reconstruction of existing and construction of new regional power plants, provided for 10 - 15 years to more than double the annual production of coal and peat, and approximately double the production of pig iron and steel. Electrification was intended to almost double the volume of industrial output, while increasing the number of workers by only 20 percent5; this was made possible by extensive mechanization and automation of production processes using electricity.

The historical significance of the GOELRO plan is exceptionally great. And the point here is not only that Lenin's plan for electrification of the country was the first experience of scientific long-term planning, and not only that when it was compiled, a methodology was developed for further work on planning the national economy of the Country of Soviets. The Leninist principles of electrification laid down in the GOELRO plan still serve faithfully to develop the energy power of the Soviet Union. Half a century has passed since the GOELRO plan was adopted and launched. About 40 years have passed since the main indicators of this plan were fulfilled. The conditions and situation on the energy front have changed beyond recognition, and the basic Leninist principles still retain their significance and clearly illuminate the path along which the domestic energy sector is developing and will continue to develop in the coming years.

Summing up the results of the work of the GOELRO commission, highly appreciating the drawn-up plan for electrification of Russia, V. I. Lenin at the VIII All-Russian Congress of Soviets called this plan "the second program of the party", adding that this program will not be as unchangeable as "the present program, which is subject to change only at party congresses. No, this program will be improved, developed, improved and modified every day, in every workshop, in every parish. " 6 To further emphasize the importance of electrification, V. I. Lenin pronounced at the congress his formula, which has become widely known: "Communism is Soviet power plus the electrification of the whole country. 7

The main Leninist principles on the basis of which the GOELRO plan was drawn up were as follows. Restoration, development and technical re-equipment of all branches of the national economy should be based on the use of electricity. Electrification of production processes provides the fastest increase in labor productivity. First of all, it is necessary to ensure the predominant growth of heavy industry - the basis for the development of the entire national economy and strengthening the country's defense capability. In order to fully supply the national economy with the necessary amount of electric energy, it is necessary to ensure faster growth rates of the electric power industry. The increase in the production of kilowatt-hours of electricity should occur faster than the growth of output in other sectors of the national economy. For the fastest growth of electricity production, it is advisable to concentrate it on the largest possible regional power plants with units of maximum capacity. At thermal power plants, local fuel should be used to the maximum extent, which will make it possible to reduce the cost of its transportation and at the same time increase the reliability of electricity supply. In areas where there are insufficient fuel reserves, special attention should be paid to the use of water resources.

5 Ibid., p. 17 (table), 18.

6 V. I. Lenin. PSS. Vol. 42, pp. 157, 158.

7 Ibid., p. 159.

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At the same time, we should strive to make comprehensive use of these resources both for electricity generation and for irrigation, irrigation, land reclamation, water supply, and water transport development. For a more reliable and sustainable electricity supply to consumers, it is necessary to connect power plants with high-voltage transmission lines, creating increasingly powerful energy systems serving large economic areas.

An important principle in drawing up the GOELRO plan was also the most rational distribution of productive forces throughout the country. Simultaneously with the strengthening of the electric power base of the old industrial districts, it was planned to create new industrial centers in the national republics and on the outskirts of the country.

All these principles, first expressed in the GOELRO plan, remained relevant in subsequent years. They are still as effective as they were half a century ago. The consistent implementation of these principles over the past 50 years has greatly changed all production and economic indicators. Gross social product and national income have increased by about 40 times. Gross industrial output increased 79-fold, with the production of means of production (Group A) growing almost 200 - fold, and the production of consumer goods (Group B) growing 26 - fold. Cargo turnover of all types of transport increased by 27 times, labor productivity in industry-by 16.5 times, and in agriculture-by 4.7 times .8
Energy facilities have changed quantitatively and qualitatively: if the first - born power plants of the GOELRO plan were equipped with turbines with a capacity of 6-10 thousand kW, now the main type of equipment at thermal power plants is a 300 thousand kW power unit with supercritical steam parameters. Even more powerful units were put into pilot operation: 500 thousand kW at Nazarovskaya GRES and 800 thousand kW at Slavyanskaya GRES. The capacity of the first hydroelectric power station built according to the GOELRO plan did not reach even 60 thousand kilowatts, now only one hydro turbine of the Krasnoyarsk hydroelectric power station is almost 10 times more powerful. In 1922, the country's first 110-kilovolt power transmission line with a length of 120 kilometers was laid. In 1970, the length of high-voltage lines (with a voltage of 800 kilovolts) is hundreds of thousands of kilometers. All economic indicators in the energy industry and in the operation of power plants have improved significantly.

For a more complete description of the current situation in the energy sector of our country, it should be mentioned that the capacity of all power plants by the end of 1970 will be approximately 166 million kilowatts, and electricity generation will amount to 740 billion kilowatts. kilowatt-hours. More than thirty thermal power plants now have a capacity of over a million kilowatts each. Four GRES-Pridneprovskaya, Konakovskaya, Zmievskaya and Burshtyn-have reached the design capacity of 2.4 million kilowatts; in the very near future, the same capacity will be available at Kryvyi Rih GRES. The Uglegorskaya GRES currently under construction will have an even greater capacity - approximately 4 million kilowatts.

Our achievements in the field of heating are very great. The USSR ranks first in the world in this type of energy. With the simultaneous generation of thermal and electrical energy, the efficiency of the power plant significantly increases. If the efficiency of a condensing power plant is at best equal to 40%, then the efficiency of thermal power plants can reach

8 "National economy of the USSR in 1968". Statistical Yearbook, Moscow, 1969, p. 43.

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60 and even 70%. This is mainly achieved through the installation of large heat-generating turbines with a capacity of 50 and 100 thousand ket, operating at high steam parameters (130 atm., 565°C). It is expected that in 1970 the CHPP will generate more than 500 million cubic meters of electricity. G-calories. A heating turbine with an unprecedented capacity of 250 thousand kilowatts is being prepared for launch. We can hope that it will be even more economical than the current ones.

Nuclear power plants (NPPs) are an integral part of thermal energy. Since the world's first pilot power plant using nuclear power for peaceful purposes was put into operation in 1954, nuclear power plants have developed significantly. Novovoronezh, Beloyarsk, Melekesskaya and other nuclear power plants have been established and are operating. Currently, three large nuclear power plants are under construction, including one with a capacity of 2 million kilowatts. The operating experience of nuclear power plants has convincingly shown that at a sufficiently high power (not less than 500 thousand kW) they are quite economical.

It can be stated categorically that before the revolution, hydropower construction in our country was not developed at all. In fact, what kind of development of hydroelectric power can we talk about if in 1913 such a large country as Russia was on the 8th place in the world in terms of electricity generation, and the production of hydroelectric power did not even account for 2% of the total electricity production in the country. It is a completely different matter now. In addition to the hydroelectric power stations built according to the GOELRO plan, including the Dnieper named after V. I. Lenin, many different hydroelectric power stations have been built in our country in all regions of the country. The construction of large hydroelectric power plants was particularly widespread in the post-war period. Now our country has the largest hydroelectric power stations in the world. On the Volga there are hydroelectric power stations named after V. I. Lenin and named after the XXII Congress of the CPSU. The first of them has 20 water turbines with a capacity of 115 thousand kW each, the second - 22 of the same units. The Angara Bratsk hydroelectric power station operates with 18 turbines of 225-250 thousand kW and a total capacity of 4.1 million kW; the Yenisei River has 10 of the world's largest turbines of 500 thousand kW each.

The total capacity of all hydroelectric power stations in the country by January 1, 1970 was about 30 million kW; last year, more than 115 billion kW were generated at hydroelectric power stations. kwh of electricity. Currently, many hydroelectric power stations are under construction. The largest of them are: Sayano-Shushenskaya - 6.4 million, Ust-Ilim - 4.3 million, Nurek - 2.7 million, Toktogul - 1.2 million, Ingur-1.3 million kW and others.

The principle of centralization of electricity production, which was used to draw up the GOELRO plan, was consistently implemented over the years. Now centralization is 96%. Our country is crossed by high-voltage power lines in all directions. Large integrated energy systems have been created. All electric power stations in the European part of the country and the Urals are connected to each other. In case of need, electricity can be supplied hundreds or even thousands of kilometers away. Nowhere else in the world is there such a length of power lines with a voltage of 500-750 kilovolts. Since the load schedule peaks do not occur at the same time, it is possible to have significantly less backup power than in the absence of such a connection.

From what has been said, we can conclude that a lot has been done in the 50 years since the beginning of electrification in our country. It is difficult, even almost impossible, to compare what was before with what is now. But now the tasks have become much more complex. A new stage of electrification has come. Electrical energy displaces all other types of energy. This process is complex and lengthy. Determining the appropriate level of electrification for each given stage is far from an easy technical and economical task.-

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a simple task. In each individual case, it is necessary to calculate in detail and prove that the use of electric energy will be more efficient than other energy carriers: steam, hot water, directly fuel... It is clear that the more perfect the electric power industry is, the better it is organized, the more profitable and economical it will be for a larger number of consumers.

However, there is no doubt (as evidenced by the developments of all scientific organizations of the USSR Ministry of Energy and Electrification) that the demand for electric energy will grow rapidly. So, according to experts, by the end of the century, electricity consumption will increase by 8-10 times compared to the current level. With such a volume of its production, the unit capacity of power units - 300 thousand kW-is already insufficient. Therefore, in the shortest possible time, within the next few years, it is necessary to introduce and master power units of higher capacity: 500, 800, 1,200 megawatts.

In addition, of course, the rapid growth of electricity production will require not only the construction of heavy-duty thermal power plants on organic fuel, but also the development of fundamentally new ways of generating electricity. First of all, we should mention nuclear power plants and the magnetohydrodynamic method of electricity production (MHD generator). The nuclear power industry has already received a well-known development in our country. The immediate tasks are to create large nuclear power plants, first using thermal and then fast neutrons. Their unit capacity will be increased to 4 million kilowatts. Operational experience and calculations show that nuclear power plants in the European part of the USSR can be more economical in the very near future than thermal condensing power plants, even those running on natural gas. Further technical improvement of thermal neutron reactors and the introduction of fast neutron reactors will further increase the economic efficiency of nuclear power plants. With the magnetohydrodynamic method, a direct conversion of thermal energy (incandescent plasma) into electricity occurs. In combination with conventional steam turbine installations, the efficiency of an MHD power plant can be increased to 55% (the best modern conventional GRES have an efficiency of no more than 40%). This method is currently being studied in pilot plants.

Obviously, gas turbine installations will become widespread. They will play a large role in covering peak loads, which should be expected to become very large. According to some preliminary calculations, the increase in loads in power systems within one minute can reach the value of 5 million kilowatts. High-capacity combined-cycle gas plants can also be used successfully for the same purposes. To determine the scale of implementation of these highly maneuverable power sources, it will help to clarify their technical characteristics during the operational verification process.

Hydropower construction will increase significantly in absolute terms in the coming years, but the share of hydroelectric power in the country's fuel and energy balance will consistently decrease due to the faster growth of electricity production at nuclear and other power plants. Hydroelectric power plants, as well as pumped storage power plants (HPPs), will be assigned the task of covering peak loads in the power system. The water management value of hydroelectric power plants will increase, and their purely energy role will decrease. This is especially true for hydroelectric power plants located in Central Asia. There, they should primarily serve the purpose of irrigation of drylands.

The most intensive hydroelectric construction will take place on the Yenisei, Angara and other Siberian rivers. It is likely that the energy produced by them, together with the energy obtained at the thermal mills, is not sufficient.-

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It will be transferred via heavy-duty power transmission lines to the European part of the USSR in the Kansk-Achinsk coal basin.

With a significant increase in electricity production, it will meet part of the heat demand. However, for many years to come, we will have to find ways to directly cover thermal loads, especially those that do not require very high temperatures. The problem of centralization of heat supply, obviously, would be most correctly solved in two directions:: build large thermal power plants or build economical and large boiler houses for generating steam and hot water. The bulk of the combined heat and power plants will consume natural gas as fuel. This is the most hygienic type of fuel for combined heat and power plants located in large cities. Part of the CHPP will be able to run on nuclear fuel in the future.

In the period up to the end of the 20th century, it is obvious that there will be significant changes in the structure of the country's fuel and energy balance. Condensing and heating power plants will undoubtedly become the main consumers of fuel. The main consumers of fuel and energy resources will be located in the European part of the USSR and the Urals. This will cause an increase in fuel and energy flows from east to west. The fastest growth in oil and gas production is expected. Thermal coal production is likely to develop rapidly in the Ekibastuz and Kansk-Achinsk basins.

The lack of fuel resources in the west of the country is already felt, and quite strongly. This deficit will continue to increase. Therefore, preparations are already underway for the construction of power transmission lines that can transmit energy from Siberia to the European part of the country. Using the experience of operating a direct current line with a voltage of 800 kilovolts Volgograd-Donbass, a project is being developed for an even more powerful high-voltage direct current line for transmitting electricity from east to west. AC power lines of 750 and 1100 kilovolts will be widely used. It is these high-voltage lines that will serve as inter-system connections in the relatively near future, in addition to the 500 kilovolt transmission lines that are currently operating for these purposes. The creation of powerful and reliable direct and alternating current electrical connections will serve as the basis for the formation of the Unified Energy System of the USSR.

The energy sector is a very convenient tool for close international cooperation. The Mir international Energy System, established several years ago, is a clear example of this. This association includes Poland, Romania, Hungary, the GDR, Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria and the Lviv system of our country. The central control center is located in Prague, the capital of Czechoslovakia. This experience of the commonwealth clearly demonstrates the possibility and economic benefits of joint work in electrification of neighboring countries.

The Soviet Union provides great assistance to socialist and developing countries in energy construction. Our country's participation in the construction of the Aswan dam in the United Arab Republic is well known.

The country's power engineers strive to honorably fulfill their obligations in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Lenin GOELRO plan and the upcoming XXIV Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. They will spare no effort or effort to achieve new achievements in the implementation of the precepts of V. I. Lenin on electrification of the entire country.

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