#ARCTIC. #SIBERIA. THIS IS TAIMYR. In the 1950s, on the right tributary of the Yenisey, there was a pioneer camp that belonged to the Norilsk combine. They thought about the hydroelectric power station on the Kureyka river long before the start of its construction.
The feasibility study of the second hydroelectric power station in the Arctic was carried out by the East Siberian branch of the Gidroproekt Institute, which used the first hydroelectric station on the Hantayka river in the permafrost construction experience.
In June 1975, the builders brought to the Kureyka not only the experience in the construction of the Ust-Hantayskaya hydroelectric power station, but also the Hantay equipment. The temporary settlement was named in the spirit of the times – Pioneer. Closer to the alignment was Svetlogorsk, a permanent settlement, administratively related to the Igarsky district.
The first five years were spent on the improvement of Svetlogorsk. They laid a winter road from Snezhnogorsk through Igarka, built schools and kindergartens, shops and a club.
In 1980, Kureygesstroy began the construction of the main structures, having his own airport and practically all the benefits of civilization: from a bakery and vegetable storehouse to recreation centers in a non-industrial zone.
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Text: Varvara Sosnovskaya, Photo: Nornickel polar division archive
