Hydropower is one of the most vulnerable sectors to climate change in Armenia. The complexes of both Sevan-Hrazdan and Vorotan hydroelectric power stations are currently in operation. 188 SHPPs have operating licenses.
"The projected decline in water availability will inevitably affect the country's hydropower potential. Climate change scenarios and predicted river flow values should be taken into account when issuing or extending water use permits for hydropower," the draft final report of “Development of Water Sector Adaptation plan in Armenia” project says. The document mentions that reduced river flow due to projected climate change will increase the likelihood of environmental flow disturbance in rivers with small hydropower plants, whereas aquatic ecosystems will become more vulnerable.
The annual water abstraction for hydropower in Armenia has exceeded 5 billion cubic meters. The pressure of the sector on the river ecosystems is significant. "The main negative impact is the violation of the environmental flow in a certain part of the river, which leads to the deterioration of the aquatic ecosystem and biodiversity," the document says and outlines that in a number of basins, small hydropower plants are experiencing environmental disruption, which is a significant pressure on water resources.
Regarding small hydropower plants, the document also addresses the impact of hydropower complexes. In terms of Sevan-Hrazdan hydroelectric power stations complex, the document says: “Sevan-Hrazdan hydropower cascade poses significant pressure on the Hrazdan River, in particular, violates the natural flow regime, the natural regime of flow velocity, water level fluctuations, sediment accumulation and other characteristics. It is required to implement a number of operational measures aimed at reducing losses and increasing efficiency and energy generation of Sevan-Hrazdan cascade.
Regarding Vorotan Hydrocascade the document says, “As it is mentioned in the Southern basin management plan, due to the overuse of the water by Vorotan HPP, there is an irrigation water deficit during the season in Vorotan basin (Southern Basin Management Plan, 2015). A significant decrease in the river flow in Vorotan basin is expected, thus, it is required to assess the water availability for future planning periods and develop measures aimed at fair distribution of the water between the sectors. Water reuse/shared use practices would help to reduce the anthropogenic pressures on water ecosystem.
The following are related to hydropower from the climate change adaptation measures proposed in the document:
· Nature use fee rates should be revised to set higher tariffs for water intake for drinking, irrigation, domestic purpose and hydropower use;
· Revise and implement on pilot basins the methodology on calculation of environmental flow according to EU standards;
· Introducing the modern hydrological models to assess the vulnerability of water resources in the river basin level and to analyze the existing hydrological information;
· Developing a new method for assessing the vulnerability of water quality in a river basin under climate change;
· Define a national framework for monitoring, evaluating, reporting and improving adaptation in the water sector;
· Support water policy with accurate supply/demand scenarios (current and future) at basin level.
· Define water allocation plans in most critical sub basins and associate all stakeholders in the definition of rules and indicators.
March 29, 2022 at 18:37