Interactive HPP tour

Video gallery

Left

Right

1 Turbine (runner)
A component of a hydropower unit located in the HPP dam structure. Water turns the turbine runner blades, generating mechanical energy.
2 Generator
A component of a hydropower unit connected to the turbine by a shaft. The generator converts mechanical into electrical energy.
3 Transformer
Its function is to increase the voltage, so that the electricity generated by the hydropower units can be transferred to the transmission grid.
4 Machine hall bridge crane
Is used for moving the hydropower unit components during the assembly and dismantling of hydropower units.
5 Machine hall
The building where the hydropower units and their auxiliary equipment are located.
6 Upstream gantry crane
Is used for lifting and lowering the gates for the purposes of closing the penstock as well as removing debris from the trash racks.
7 Turbine inlet trash rack
Its function is to prevent all kinds of floating objects from getting into the penstock.
8 Downstream gantry crane
Is used for lifting and lowering the downstream gates, draining or flooding the draft tube.
9 Upstream and downstream gates
Are used for closing the waterways and draining the inlet pipe during the maintenance or repair of the hydropower unit turbine.

Dole Island, 35 km from the Daugava River mouth
- Riga HPP started generation of power in 1974-1975 and it is the newest hydropower plant on the Daugava River
- The hydropower plant is equipped with 6 hydropower units
- The maximum head of the HPP is 18 metres
- The total installed capacity of Riga HPP is 402 MW
Riga HPP generates about 10-15% of all electric power produced in Latvia.
The reservoir of Riga HPP is the largest artificial reservoir in Latvia. Its area is 42.3 km2 and its volume is 339 million m3.
During the Soviet era, the popular animated series “Well, Just You Wait!” was watched by both children and adults throughout the country. Inspired by the series, power engineers in several Soviet republics, when starting the construction of a dam over a river, used to write the name of the river and the series’ catchphrase “Well, just you wait!” on the first stone. That was captured in photos also during the construction of the Riga HPP in 1974.