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 “Voghji 1” SHPP. “Voghji 1” SHPP is located in Syunik Region, in the administrative area of Lernadzor community. The SHPP is constructed on the Voghji River (river-length – 82 km). It’s operated by “Kapan Energy” CJSC. According to the certificate issued by the Public Services Regulatory Committee (PSRC) dated on 1 January 2016, “Voghji 1” SHPP is already considered to be an electricity producer.
As a result of the monitoring, the expert group found out:
- The SHPP has been operating since 2015.
- According to the certificate issued by the Public Services Regulatory Committee on 1 January 2016 and the project, the estimated pressure of the SHPP is 97.75 m, according to the certificate issued by the Public Services Regulatory Committee on 1 January 2016 and the project, the estimated yield used by the SHPP is 6 m3/s. According to the PSRC certificate and the project, the projected capacity is 4690 kW. According to the PSRC, as of 01.01.2016 the factual useful delivery of the electricity is 15.8 million kWh. According to the project, the estimated production is 15.8 million kWh, duration of license - 24.12.2013-24.12.2015-24.12.2029, water usage permit - 18.03.2009-18.07.2009.
- The difference between the real coordinates of the SHPP and the coordinates laid down in the water usage permit is insignificant.
- The length of the SHPP dam is 24 m, its height is 2.4 m. There are very large concrete-made structures constructed – a sand trap and a pond.
- Still from the Soviet period a head section and tunnel derivation was constructed for “Voghji 1” SHPP, which hasn’t been operated. The derivation tunnel, which has a length if 3226 m, was previously used to transfer water for “Voghji 2” SHPP derivation water. There was no fish passway in the water intake section. After being issued the relevant permit for the construction of “Voghji 1” SHPP, “Kapan-Energy” CJSC initiated to reconstruct the existing structures replacing with the structures in the new head section, including the construction of a new fish passway. Nevertheless, the monitoring showed that there was no fish passway. “Kapan-Energy” CJSC substantiated the absence of this structure with the following arguments:
-There was no requirement for a fish passway in the water intake sections in “Voghji 2” and “Voghji 3” SHPPs operated since the Soviet years.
-In this section of the Voghji River the water is polluted with mining industrial waters and there is no sense to speak about the reproduction of the fish in the river.
-The fish passway was not planned even in the reconstruction project.
- In the middle reach of the Voghji River, where the SHPP head section is constructed, you can meet the brown trout, the South Caucasus Sprilin, Kura barbell, Angora loach, as well as other fish species. The rainbow trout may also be seen here.
- According to the project, the length of the SHPP pipeline is 600 m, its diameter is 1.6 m.
- According to the construction water permit, “Voghji 1” SHPP can annually carry out water intake for 5 months (from April to June) ensuring an environmental flow of 0.48 cum/s in the river.
- The automated management and recording of the environmental flow is not ensured.
- There is no water-meter sealed by a relevant environmental body in the water intake.
- There are 3 hydroaggregates installed in the SHPP building, which are replenished with German generators and Chinese turbines. At the moment of observation the SHPP was not operating.
- The station area is improved and is located on the right bank of the Voghji River near the head section of “Voghji 2” SHPP.
- The requirements posed to the preservation of fertile soil layer and its use are complied with, reclaiming has been carried out, no landslide phenomena observed.
- Free water usage requirements are complied with.
- The SHPP employs 30 people mainly from Kapan Town.
Proposals
- To make the water intake section compliant with the project solutions. To reconstruct it and to build a fish passway to ensure the migration of the fish and the environmental flow let out into the river.
- To ensure automatic management of environmental flow in the head section, installation of water-measuring devices and online control.
- The use of the dam may be refused and to carry out the water intake in another way without blocking the riverbed.
- There is a problem among different water users here, as Zangezour copper and molybdenum combine carries out large amount of water intake from the Voghji River, which is not controlled, as a matter of fact. Precise data on the different water intakes are needed to set strict control.
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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 06, 2016 at 15:32