EcoLur
In the framework of the project entitled “Support to SHPP-relating Reforms Through the Dialogue of Public and RA Nature Protection Ministry for Sustainable Use of River Ecosystems” the expert group visited “Aragats 1” SHPP. “Aragats 1” SHPP is located in Aragatsotn Region. The SHPP is constructed on the Gegharot River (length – 25 km). It’s operated by “VACULFO” LLC.
As a result of the monitoring, the expert group found out:
- At the moment of observation the SHPP was not operating. Because of poor road conditions, the expert group was not able to visit the head section of the SHPP.
- According to the project, the static pressure of the SHPP is 180 m, estimated pressure – 164m, estimated yield is 1.0 m3/s – Gegharot River plus 0.5 m3/s Qaghtsr Jur tributary, according to the certificate issued by the Public Services Regulatory Committee on 1 January 2016, the estimated yield of the SHPP is 1 m. According to the PSRC certificate and the project, the projected capacity is 1260 kW. According to the PSRC, as of 01.01.2016 the factual useful delivery of the electricity is 6.785 million kWh, the estimated production of the SHPP is 2.791184 million kWh, according to the project, duration of license - 21.10.2009-21.10.2024, water usage permit - 12.10.2012- 12.10.2015.
- The project plans to have two water intake sections – one on the Gegharot River and the other on the Qaghtsrjur tributary.
- The length of the SHPP concrete dam is 30 and its height is 3 m. The project planned to have a dam of 38.6 m long and 6.2 m high.
- According to the project, there was a water-letting structure planned on the bottom of the dam, which would ensure the migration of the fish.
- According to the residents, the fish is not available in the Gegharot River, as the hydrological type of the river complies with the biological needs of the brown trout. The hydrochemical composition of the river is another problem, which can be unfavourable for the normal activities of the fish and needs additional studies.
- According to the project, it’s planned to have a pressure pipeline with a diameter of 820 mm, length of 2350 meters and water-letting capacity of 1.5 m3/s and a dotation pipeline of 820 mm diameter, length of 219 meters and water-letting capacity of 0.5 m3/s.
- The aggregate percentage correlation of all derivation pipelines constructed on the Gegharot River - “Gegharot” SHPP (pipeline length – 4640, according to the project), “Aragats 1” SHPP (pipeline length - 2350 m, according to the project) with the river length makes up 27.96%. “Alpiakan” SHPP is planned to be constructed on the Gegharot River (pipeline length – 2800, according to PSRC certificate), as well as “Lusarpi” SHPP (pipeline length – 1120 m, according to the PSRC certificate). If these SHPPs are constructed, the aggregate length of SHPP derivation pipelines (11129) with the river length will make up 43.64%.
- According to the water usage permit, “Aragats 1” SHPP can annually carry out water intake in the amount of 31632.360 cum ensuring an environmental flow of 0.06 cum/s.
- Both hydroaggregates installed in the SHPP building were not operating because of turbine breakdown.
- According to the SHPP employee, “Aragats-1” SHPP operates annually 5-6 months and it stops operating starting from October, but the project says the SHPP operated all year round.
- According to “Computation Center” CJSC data, in 2014 “Aragats” SHPP operated for 6 months and produced 2447944 kW electricity.
- In fact, the station area was not improved and greened compliant with project solutions. There were newly planted trees, but they were dried out. It was explained that it was not possible to water the trees with river water.
- In 2014 inspections were carried out in the SHPP and an administrative fine of 300,000 AMD for imposed for the breakdown.
The material was developed in the frames of “Supporting reforms in the sector of small hydro power plants through enabling a dialogue between civil society and the Ministry of Nature Protection for sustainable use of river ecosystems” supported by UNDP/GEF Small Grants Programme".
May 02, 2016 at 19:37