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Kushva battles –30°C freeze after heating plants fail in crisis

A town left shivering at –30°C reveals the human cost of crumbling infrastructure. Can urgent repairs and legal battles finally fix Kushva's broken heating system?

,   and  Administrator
2 min read
The image shows a man in a blue shirt standing in a boiler room, holding a book in his hands and...
The image shows a man in a blue shirt standing in a boiler room, holding a book in his hands and looking at it intently. In the background, there are various machines and pipes, suggesting he is in the process of repairing or maintaining the boiler.

Kushva battles –30°C freeze after heating plants fail in crisis

Residents of Kushva faced severe heating disruptions in January 2023 as temperatures plunged to –30°C. The crisis exposed long-standing issues with the town's ageing boiler plants, prompting urgent repairs and long-term upgrades. Authorities have since taken steps to prevent future failures, including legal action and major investments.

The problems began on January 20, 2023, when heating systems failed under extreme cold. Engineers worked in freezing conditions to restore service, completing repairs on two boilers at the Uralskaya plant by January 27. A mobile diesel boiler was also brought in to support the network until the end of the heating season.

Kushva's heating infrastructure has struggled for years under a failed concession agreement. Since 2018, only one of 12 planned upgrades was finished, leading to the contract's termination. Currently, 11 heat sources remain operational, but the Uralskaya and Blocnaya plants are in critical condition, with wear exceeding 80%.

In response, the town allocated reserve funds for a new boiler, with a contract expected this week. Installation should finish by late February. Longer-term plans include a modular gas boiler plant, set to open by the 2026 heating season.

Since reclaiming the Uralskaya plant in January 2024, local authorities have invested 500 million rubles in repairs and modernisation, completed by late 2024. They also secured a 10-year fuel supply deal in March 2024 and launched legal action in June 2024 to recover 300 million rubles in unpaid debts from former private operators. These measures aim to ensure stable heating for the 2024/2025 winter.

The mobile boiler will stay in place until spring, providing temporary relief. A permanent solution is underway, with a new boiler due by February and a gas plant planned for 2026. Legal and financial steps have also been taken to prevent future shortages and secure long-term heating stability.

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