RIA Novoti reported that Russia largest hydropower operator RusHydro launched the fifth hydropower unit at Siberia Sayano-Shushenskaya Hydropower Plant damaged in a deadly accident in 2009.

The launch ceremony was attended by Mr Vladimir Putin Prime Minister who pressed a symbolic button to start the unit operation while the RusHydro management told the premier about the process of the power plant's reconstruction after the accident.

The accident occurred at the Sayano-Shushenskaya plant on Siberia Yenisei River in August 2009 killing 75 people and destroying a turbine hall. The accident also destroyed three hydropower units and damaged the other seven. The plant is under reconstruction. All repair works at the hydropower plant are expected to be completed by December 2014.

A RusHydro official said "From 2012 to 2014, three power units will be launched into operation in the plant's turbine room annually."

The launch of the hydropower units is expected to boost the plant's capacity to 6.4 GW from the current 2.6 GW.

The plant's first four repaired hydropower units and also a new spillway went into service in January this year.

(Sourced from RIA Novosti)