EcoLur
In the framework of the project entitled “Support to the Reforms of SHPPs through a Dialogue between the Public and The Ministry of Nature Protection of the RA for the Purpose of River Ecosystem Use” the expert group visited “Martziget 1” SHPP. “Martziget 1” SHPP is located in the administrative area of Martz community, Lori Region. The SHPP is constructed on the Martz River (length – 29 km). The SHPP is developed by “MartzEnergy” LLC.
It should be mentioned that on the day of the visit the SHPP administration couldn’t wait for the expert group, so the group didn’t visit the SHPP building. Therefore, we present the observation results of the water intake.
As a result of the monitoring, the expert group found out:
- The SHPP has been operated since 2014.
- There are significant incompliances between the real coordinates in water intake and discharge sections and the coordinates laid down in the water usage permit.
- The water intake section has been constructed with project violations: under the project, the concrete fish passway should have been 29.5 meters long and 1.5 meters wide, but, as a matter of fact, a steel pipe was installed which was cut from the middle, which is 2 meters long, 1 meter wide and had 3 stairs. Such fish pathway can’t ensure the natural movement of the fish in the river.
- The fish-protecting net was missing; there was only a garbage collector.
- Plastic bags are collected on the bank.
- The Martz River used to be famous for large reserves of the brown trout, but currently the reserves of this fish species have reduced. More often you can see Kura barbell and the South Caspian sprilin.
- The environmental flow is laid down 0.1 m3/s in the water usage permit of “Martziget 1” and SHPP construction permit.
- There was not water-measuring device in the water intake section.
- Automatic management system of the water level in the water intake is missing.
- The length of derivation pipeline is 4700 meters, which runs along the Martz River.
- The projected capacity of “Martziget 1” is 1890 kW, according to Public Services Regulatory Committee.
- The factual production of electricity is 8.6 million kWh.
- According to the data by “Computation Center” CJSC, in 2014 “Martziget 1” SHPP produced 328587 kW electricity.
Proposals
1. To construct a fish passway relevant to the requirements for living in the Martz River thus ensuring the environmental flow through the fish passway.
2. To install a fish-protecting net to exclude the passage of small fish into SHPP pipeline.
3. To review the limit of the environmental flow laid down in the water usage permit to ensure the environmental balance in the river.
4. To install a water-measuring device and automatic management system of the water level in the water intake section.
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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".
August 31, 2015 at 18:30