Omsk power plant emits thick black smoke for the second time in months

Thick black smoke was spotted billowing from Omsk’s Combined Heat and Power Plant No. 5 (CHPP-5) on 15 June 2026. The smoke originated from the plant’s smokestack, drawing immediate attention from local observers. This was not the first such event at the facility in recent months. A similar incident had occurred just a month earlier, on 15 May 2026. On that occasion, Boiler Unit No. 7 at CHPP-5 automatically shut down after a flameout. Authorities later explained that such incidents often happen when coal-fired boilers are initially ignited using fuel oil.

The May event prompted regulatory bodies to take notice. TGK-11 PJSC, the plant’s operator, received an official warning following the investigation into the earlier incident. The June smoke emission has raised further concerns about the plant’s operations. Regulators continue to monitor CHPP-5 closely after the repeated occurrences. The company now faces heightened scrutiny over its boiler ignition procedures.