EcoLur
RA Ministry for Energy Infrastructures and Natural Resources has rejected SOS Garni Initiative's proposal on the alternative version of Qaghtsrasehn gravity irrigation system, as SOS Garni Initiative members told EcoLur.
Reminder: Garni residents are claiming that the amended version of Qaghtsrashen project doesn't solve the problems they face and they have proposed the ministry to install solar power stations and direct the generated cheap electricity to operating pumping stations.
The reply letter by RA Ministry for Energy Infrastructures and Natural Resources says, 'All the amendments made in the frames of the first stage of the project reflect the solutions to the problems raised by Garni Community residents in recent two years. In particular, the head section of Qaghtsrashen gravity irrigation system has been transferred 5.2 km downwards the course of the Azat River to exclude any impact on the ecosystems of the Azat Gorge, as well as the land users in the gorge. Besides, the use of Hatsavan pumping station will enable avoiding additional construction works, as in this case, the infrastructures established still in the Soviet period will be used for this pumping station.
The essence of the consensus version is that in the case of implementing the previous version of the project, it would be feasible to save around 10 million kW electricity, while this indicator will account for 8 million kW in the case of the amended or so-called consensus version.
The water demand of other water users having carried out water intake from the Azat River is entirely taken into consideration in the hydroeconomic balance of the Qaghtsrashen gravity irrigation system project. What about your proposal to construct a solar power plant, in the case of Qaghtsrashen pumping station the operation of gravity system is more effective as an alternative to the mechanical one. The opportunity to use solar energy can be further considered in the modernization projects of other hundreds of pumping station operating in the irrigation system in the country, which won't have more effective technical alternative solutions.'
June 01, 2017 at 17:44