Official website of the President of Russia

Transcripts   /

President Vladimir Putin: Dear friends,

Allow me to congratulate the builders, engineers, planners and everyone whose work has made the commissioning of the Bureya Hydroelectric Power Station’s first unit possible. This is a very important and essential facility for the country. You know that the project was first conceived decades ago.

At the start of last century, people thought about building a hydroelectric station here. The first specialists appeared in the early 1970s. Construction started in 1984–5. You also know that the early 1990s was, unfortunately, a period of great disruption. Work virtually came to a halt. However, thanks to your efforts, in the last three and a half to four years a miracle has literally taken place here. This miracle became possible because of your efforts and work. But I would also like to say that the relevant organizational decisions were also taken. The Russian Federation Government included the construction work in the national budget, that is all of Russia has paid for the Bureya plant and its construction. Therefore, people living here in the Far East, of course, must feel the results of your work. And sector chiefs and Far East regional heads must create conditions, enforce the necessary safeguards and controls so that electricity charges for Far East residents are cut after the first unit goes into operation. This must be felt in the economy.

I have just discussed with the sector’s head the fact that it is not simply enough to commission the Bureya station at its full capacity. It has to become a real foundation for the Far East’s economic development, leading to new firms being set up on the basis of the Bureya plant and new jobs being created in the Far East. People’s lives must become better and more stable in the Far East.

The most sophisticated methods developed in the construction and electric power sectors have been applied here. Not only has everything that made the Soviet Union’s and the Russian power electric power sector proud been revived and restored. New steps forward have also been taken. This is very necessary. This is a very good sign for the entire country and for every Russian citizen. This shows that the economy is developing and new prerequisites for its development are being created. I am certain that Russia’s great electric power sector, thanks to people like you, will live and develop. I would like to say a few words to the heads of the branch, to your managers who are working here today. The people who work here and will work at the Bureya Hydroelectric Power Station, whether they live and work here, in shifts or on a permanent basis, must live in normal, humane conditions. I know that these conditions are being created here. I am certain and I would like to hope that you will live and work in good, worthy conditions and will achieve excellent results.

I congratulate you on this most important event in your lives and the life of Russia.

Thank you.