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 “Arpa” SHPP. “Arpa” SHPP intake section is located in the administrative area of Zedea community, Vayots Dzor Region, while the station is located in the administrative area of Vayq Town. The SHPP is constructed on the Arpa River (length – 126 km). It’s operated by “ARPA-ENERGY” LLC.
As a result of the monitoring, the expert group found out:
- The SHPP has been operated since 2013.
- According to the project, the static pressure of the SHPP is 52.2 m, estimated pressure – 42.2 m. The estimated yield used by the SHPP is 8.0 m3/s, projected capacity – 2622 kW. According to the certificate issued by the Public Services Regulatory Committee, the factual useful delivery of the electricity is 8.88 million kWh, duration of license - 12.06.2013-12.06.2028, water usage permit - 06.05.13- 06.05.16.
- There are significant incompliances between the real coordinates in water intake and discharge sections and the coordinates laid down in the water usage permit.
- According to the project, the dam is a two-meter-high structure made of concrete.
- In fact, the length of the dam is 17 m, while its height is around 4 meters. It’s a structure made of iron and concrete, where there is a fish passway constructed on the left corner.
- According to the SHPP employer, the fish passway has length of 18 meters, 12 stairs – each 2 meters wide and 25 cm high without chess-like holes.
- There is a sand trap constructed on the right corner, where there are fish-protecting nets installed having 3-centimeter-long slot.
- You can meet the following fish species in the Arpa River: brown trout, the South Caspian sprilin, the Kura Barbel, the Sevan khramulya, the squalius, the Kura loach, the Kura bleak, the Kura nase, the Prussian carp and the stone moroko. Sometimes you can also meet the rainbow trout.
- The environmental flow set in the water usage permit is 1,25 m3/s. At the moment of the observation the environmental flow of s 1,25 m3/s was not ensured.
- According to the water usage permit data, the SHPP can annually take 252234.0 million cum water from the river during 12 months.
- According to “Computation Center” CJSC data, in 2014 “Arpa” SHPP operated for 12 months and produced 11080769 kW electricity.
- The pressure pipeline is made of steel: according to the project, the length of the pipeline is 3020 meters, its diameter is 2000 mm.
- In fact, the length of the pipeline is 3530 meters, which is buried under the ground in the observed parts.
- In the water intake section the water intake for the SHPP is regulated with automatic management system.
- There is one German-made turbine installed in the SHPP station, which has entirely automatic management system.
- According to the employer, the turbine works with 250 l/s water amount in the low-water season (in August) and produced 80 kW/h electricity.
- The estimated yield of 8.0 m3/s set for the SHPP is not used, as the SHPP turbine operates maximum with 5.0 m3/s water amount ensuring 1800 kW projected capacity, which is secured in April-June.
- At the moment of observation the area of the station was not improved, the site development works haven’t been accomplished yet. There were newly planted trees in the area.
- The transformer substation is fenced: the only transformer installed is not equipped with oil-collecting system.
- There is no solution for the discharge of household wastewater.
Proposals
- To regulate letting out of environmental flow in the water intake section with automatic management system.
- To control environmental flow through measuring devices and online supervision.
- To review hydroeconomic estimates and the indicators set in the water usage permit, as there is no incomplianc between the factual and projected hydroenergetic indicators.
- To re-equip the SHP with highly effective turbines to get projected indicators, which will operate with low water amount and ensure high economic effectiveness of the SHPP.
- To equip the transformer with oil-collecting system.
- To implement sufficient greening and improvement works.
- To solve the problem of household wastewater discharge by constructing a biotoilet or discharging them to a water-proof well.
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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".
February 02, 2016 at 17:51