Overload Caused Chita CHP-1 Accident – EMERCOM

The accident at CHP-1 in Chita, which left a large part of the city and its suburbs without electricity on February 5, occurred due to a cable overload on a turbine generator, according to preliminary data from the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations (MChS, EMERCOM). This was reported on the agency«s channel on MAH.

The regional Main Directorate of EMERCOM«s crisis management center received information about an emergency power outage caused by the activation of a protective device at CHP-1.

«According to preliminary data, there was a cable overload on turbine generator No. 2. To mitigate the consequences, a temporary electricity supply restriction regime has been introduced. CHP teams are working at the accident site,» the statement said.

EMERCOM dispatched a fire and rescue unit and an operational group to monitor the situation and coordinate with services. The number of disconnected consumers is being clarified, and restoration work is under EMERCOM«s oversight.

On the night of February 5, at approximately 00:15, a significant part of Chita was left without electricity. The outages affected an area from the city center to the gardening non-profit partnerships (SNT) beyond Smolenka and Ugdan. Some residents also report a drop in temperature in heating radiators. Eyewitnesses are sending videos of thick smoke billowing from the Chita CHP-1. We also filmed this smoke up close from the scene.

As reported to Chita.Ru by Andrey Chebykin, director of the Chita Generation branch of PJSC TGC-14 (Territorial Generating Company No. 14), an emergency situation occurred at CHP-1, resulting in some consumers being disconnected. According to him, emergency crews have already begun work.

No additional information on the causes and timeline for restoring power is currently available.

According to the latest data, electricity has been restored in homes in Tsarskoye, Severnoye, Kadala, and Krasnaya Zvezda.

It is currently -26°C (-15°F) in the city.