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 “Gndevanq” SHPP. “Gndevanq” SHPP is located in Vayots Dzor Region, in the administrative area of Jermuk Town. The SHPP is constructed on the Ankan River (length – 13 km). It’s operated by “B.S.B” LLC.
As a result of the monitoring, the expert group found out:
- The SHPP has been operating since 2015.
- According to the project and the certificate issued by the Public Services Regulatory Committee on 1 October 2015, the estimated pressure of the SHPP is 146 m. According to PSRC certificate and the project, the estimated yield used by the SHPP is 1.42 m3/s. According to the project and PSRC certificate, the projected capacity is 1500 kW. According to the project, the estimated production of the SHPP is 4.405 million kWh, duration of license - 22.12.2013-22.12.2015-22.12.2030, water usage permit - 02.12.2011-02.04.2012.
- The station building is constructed 200 meters in deviation of the coordinates set in the water usage permit. The SHPP building is in immediate borderline with Kechout reservoir. The water used by the turbine is directly discharged into the reservoir.
- The length of the concrete dam is 15 m and its height is 4.5 m.
- There is a stair-like fish passway constructed in the left side of the dam with 7 stairs. The height of the stairs reaches up to 80 cm, which makes the natural movement of the fish impossible.
- The sand trap is equipped with a garbage-collecting cage net, and there is a cellular net at the entrance of the pipeline.
- You can meet the South Caucasus Sprilin and climate-accustomed whitefish, the brown trout up Kechout, Kura loach and chup from the Arpa River. You can meet rainbow trout in the river.
- According to the project, the length of the pipeline is 1760 m, and its diameter is 830 mm.
- Percentage correlation of aggregate length of SHPP derivation pipeline with the river length makes up 13.53 %.
- According to the construction water usage permit, “Gndevanq” SHPP can take water in all 12 months ensuring 0.05 cum/s environmental flow in the river. The requirement of the State Environmental Expertise was to make 50 l/s water amount set in the project 100 l/s and prescribe it in the water usage permit.
- As a result of the monitoring it turned out that the water of two rivers flow into the catchment basin of the SHPP, which is not reflected in the hydroeconomic estimates.
- There is one hydroaggregate of Chinese production installed in the SHPP station, which can operate with 0.4-0.6 cum/s water amount and ensure a projected capacity of 1344 kW.
- The transformer substation is fenced, the installed transformer is equipped with oil-collecting system.
- Automatic management and recording of water intake and environmental flow is not ensured.
- The SHPP has been put into operation recently, the area is still not improved.
- A concrete water-proof well has been constructed for the discharge of household wastewater.
- The SHPP structures are close to “Jermuk Reserve” and “Jermuk Hydrological Reserve”.
Conclusion
- As in case of all other SHPPs operated on the small rivers, the operation of this SHPP shall be stopped in low-water season.
Proposals
- To ensure automatic management of environmental flow in the head section, installation of water-measuring devices and online control.
- To reconstruct the water intake section by constructing a fish section, which will enable free movement of the fish and the environmental flow let out into the river. The use of the dam may be refused and to carry out the water intake in another way without blocking the riverbed.
- To carry out a comparative analysis among the real coordinates of the water intake and the coordinates set out in the water usage permit, as the monitoring showed that two rivers flow into the catchment basin. If needed, a new water usage permit shall be received and review the hydroeconomic estimates.
- Taking into consideration that SHPP structures border to “Jermuk Reserve” and “Jermuk Hydrological Reserve”, the environmental flow of 50 l/s shall be reviewed adding it and taking into consideration the hydroeconomic estimates (which is prescribed in the expert requirements).
- To re-equip the SHPP with new and up-to-date hydroaggregates having high efficiency to have entirely automated management system, to operate with little water amount and to ensure the projected capacity.
- As the SHPP building is located nest to Kechout Reservoir, the discharge of the wastewater shall be carried out through a “mini” biological cleaning station.
- To improve station area.
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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 11, 2016 at 15:53