

Vorotan Hydropower Complex, a large hydropower plant in Armenia, has not been controlled by government agencies responsible for environmental protection for five years, which became clear in response to EcoLur's inquiry in response to letters from RA Environmental Protection and Mining Inspection Body and RA Environment Ministry.
By its letter No. 01/005/1/4419-2021, RA Environmental Protection and Mining Inspection stated that it has not carried out inspections since 2017 at Contour Global Hydrocascade CJSC, which operates Vorotan Hydropower Complex, and it is also not included in the list of organizations included in the annual program of inspections for 2021.
RA Environment Ministry, in its letter N 8/07/.2/12233, stated that "Hydro-Hydrometeorology Monitoring Center" SNCO does not publish data on the fullness of Spandaryan, Tatev, Tolors, Shamb, Angeghakot reservoirs, as observations of hydrological regimes are not carried out in the above-mentioned reservoirs.
It should be noted that Contour Global Hydro Cascade CJSC, which operates Vorotan hydro complex, uses large and strategic water resources in Syuniq Region for about 85% of Vorotan River water volume and 6 Spandaryan, Shambi, Tatev, Tolors, Angeghakot water and daily regulation reservoir of "Tatev" HPP.
At the meeting of May 8, 2018, RA Public Services Regulatory Commission approved the investment program of "ContourGlobal Hydro Cascade" CJSC for 2018. It is mainly aimed at ensuring the uninterrupted operation of hydropower plants, increasing the level of safety and reliability.
It should be noted that in an interview with "Syunyats Yerkir" newspaper in 2017 Armen Bodoyan, Head on Environmental Protection and Social Responsibility at Contour Global Hydrocascade CJSC, spoke about some of the environmental risks that may arise during the HPP operation and upgrade program. They are mainly related to the generation of waste during production or upgrading, repair work, their disposal in the form of some obsolete equipment - waste, oil economy. There is asbestos-containing equipment in the hydraulic complex, which is dangerous for health.
January 24, 2022 at 10:58