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 “Her-Her 1” SHPP. “Her-Her 1” SHPP is located in the administrative area of Herher community, Vayots Dzor Region. According to the water usage permit, the SHPP is constructed on the Her-Her River and its tributary Karavaz. Nevertheless, the monitoring of the expert group showed that the SHPP has been constructed a little bit below the joining point of the two rivers – on the Her Her River (length – 28 km). It’s operated by “VG ev Vordiner” LLC.
As a result of the monitoring, the expert group found out:
- According to the project, the static pressure of the SHPP is 237 m, estimated pressure –237 m. The estimated yield used by the SHPP is 1.04 m3/s, projected capacity – 1608 kW, according to the certificate issued by the Public Services Regulatory Committee on 1 January 2015, the factual useful delivery of the electricity is 3.70497 million kWh, according to the project, the estimated production is 4.4 million kWh, duration of license - 28.04.2010-28.04.2025, water usage permit for construction-28.04.2010-28.04.2025.
- The length of concrete dam in the SHPP is 10 meters, height – 1.4 meters instead of projected 8 meters length and 2.6 meters height.
- The planned envisaged stair-like concrete fish passway 1.1 meters wide and 2.0 meters long. In fact, the fish passway is missing and there are no conditions available for the fish flowing up and down the fish.
- There was a garbage-collector with one-centimeter-diameter holes installed at the end of the sand trap located in the left part of the dam in front of the pipeline, which can play a role of the fish-protecting network.
- You can meet the brown trout and the South Caucasus Sprilin in the Her-Her River.
- According to the water usage permit, “Her-Her 1” SHPP operates for 12 months ensuring 0.01 cum/s environmental flow in the river. The project said that the environmental flow was set 0.04 cum/s.
- At the moment of observation the riverbed was completely blocked and almost whole water flows into the SHPP pipeline.
- After the water intake only water amount flown through small slots is left in the river. There were wood logs and stones to block the water flow in case of flooding…It’s unclear how and where the environment flow is let out.
- According to “Computation Center” CJSC data, in 2014 “Her-Her 1” SHPP operated for 6 months in 2014 and produced 2862142 kW electricity.
- The derivation pipeline is made of steel and is buried in the observed sections. According to the project, the length of the pipeline is 2111 meters and its diameter is 720 mm.
- Percentage correlation of aggregate length of SHPP derivation of “Her-Her 1” (developer – “FRIMA G.A.KH” LLC, length of pipeline – 1423 meters), “Her-Her 1” SHPP (developer – “VG and Vordiner” LLC, length of pipeline – 2111 meters, according to the project) with the length of Her-Her River makes up 12.62 % (3534) meters.
- There are two old and worn-out turbines of Chinese production installed in the SHPP building (the project envisaged 2 turbines). At the moment of observation only one was operating. It was low-water period and the turbine ensured 150 kW/h capacity with 100 l/s water amount. According to the employee, the SHPP secures its projected capacity only in April and June months.
- The transformer substation is fenced, and the only installed transformer is not equipped with oil-collecting system.
- Automatic management and registration of water intake and environmental flow is not ensured.
- There is no water-meter sealed by a relevant environmental body in the water intake.
- There was no solution for the discharge of the household wastewater.
- The station area is fenced, but not improved. There are newly planted trees.
- All the SHPP structures are located in 'HerHer' State Reserve. Besides, the Herher waterfall is located in the section of water intake – around 500 meters down the station, which is listed in the Monuments of Nature in Armenia.
- Naturally the waterfall is going to be almost dry, if the SPP operates in low-water season.
Proposals
1. Entirely reconstruct the head section and to ensure the compliance of all environmental standards.
2. The dam can be dismantled and the water intake may be implemented due to other hydrotechnical solutions. If the dam method is left, to design and construct a fish passway ensuring the movement of the fish.
3. To ensure automatic management of environmental flow, installation of water-measuring devices and online control.
4. To review the environmental flow set in the water usage permit: 0.08 m3/s water amount is very few for the river and environment of the surroundings. The presence of “Herher” state reserve and Herher waterfall, monument of nature, shall be taken into consideration.
5. To secure entirely automatic management of the SHPP.
6. To equip the transformer with an oil-collector.
7. To implement sufficient greening and improvement works in the station area.
8. To solve the problem of household wastewater discharge.
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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 10, 2016 at 18:42