In 2001, the government-sponsored “Plan of Refurbishment and Reconstruction of Lukoml GRES for the Period 2001-2010” was developed and approved. Emphasis was put on stepping up efficiency and reliability of the station equipment, which would only be feasible by replacing the junk units with upgraded ones.

Subject to the refurbishment and reconstruction Plan for Lukoml GRES, 7 out of 8 available power-generating units shall be upgraded. 12 February 2003 saw the commissioning of the GRES Power Unit No 3, of which modernization was started in 2000. The scope of upgrading consisted in replacing parts and units of the turbine K-300 channel low- and medium-pressure cylinder parts, as well as replacing the generator stator. Tests of the upgraded unit will take the forthcoming month, resultant from which the planned boost of energy output will be validated. According to preliminary estimates, the work performed will enable to step up efficiency of the unit and increase its power output by 7.5 MW. It should be noted that Lukoml GRES is the first power station on the post-Soviet space where such modernization has been effected. The successful start of the GRES refurbishment will eventually enable to upgrade other power stations using the technologies proven at Lukoml in order to upgrade lower-output units.