SHPPs on Kachachkut River (Forcast) (2014)
Kachachkut River
Risk Level: 3
| Parameter | Data | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Sruface discharge volume in river section %, water | 56 | 3 |
| Disastrous Condition | Critical Condition | Normal Condition |
If SHPPs Are Constructed, Katchatchkut River To Be in Disastrous Situation
EcoLur
The Katchatchkut River flows in Lori Region, it’s the left tributary to the Debed River. It starts from the southern slopes of the Virahayots mountains and joins the Debed two km north from the Odzun Village. Its length is 11 km.
Under the licenses issued by Public Services Regulatory Committee, “Sedvi Energo” LLC has been issued licenses to construct “Sedvi-1” (derivation length – 970 meters) and “Sedvi-2” SHPPs (derivation length – 2515 meters.) Licenses for both SHPPs expire on 6/15/2014. “VAN AL EN K” LLC has been issued a license to construct “Katchatchkut” SHPP on the same river (derivation length – 2710 meters). The SHPP construction license expires on 6/21/2013.
In case these SHPPs are constructed, Katchatchkut River will be piped for a total area of 6195 meters, which makes up 56.3181818% of the river.
Under EcoLur’s Ecological Risk Model, this indicator will be a disaster for the river.
It should be mentioned that under the official website of Climate Change of Armenia, the projects of “Sedvi 1” and “Sedvi-2” SHPPs have been submitted to the Authorized National Body of the Kyoto Protocol Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) – Nature Protection Ministry of Armenia, for approval. The principle of the CDM is that the construction of SHPPs promotes green economy, no greenhouse gas emissions and that SHPPs mitigate climate change impact. While the simple formula shows that Sedvi 1” and “Sedvi-2” SHPPs will pipe a total of 2485 meters of area, which makes up 31.6818182% of the Katchatchkut River. Under EcoLur’s Ecological Risk Model, it will cause disastrous situation for the river. In this case it’s unclear how the construction of SHPPS promote mitigation of climate change, as the absence of water for kilometers won’t lead to anything positive.