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 “Ishkhanasar” SHPP. “Ishkhanasar” SHPP is located in the administrative area of Aghitu community, Syunik Region. The SHPP is constructed on the Vorotan River (length – 178 km). It’s operated by “Miezerq” LLC.
As a result of the monitoring, the expert group found out:
- The SHPP has been operating since 2013.
- According to the project, the estimated pressure of the SHPP is 87 m. According to the certificate issued by the Public Services Regulatory Committee on 1 October 2015, the estimated pressure of the SHPP is 83.2 m. According to the project and PSRC certificate, the estimated yield used by the SHPP is 3 m3/s, According to the PSRC certificate, projected capacity – 2063.9. According to the PSRC, the factual useful delivery of the electricity is 14.868 million kWh, according to the project, the estimated production is 13.4299 million kWh, duration of license - 19.06.2013-19.06.2028, water usage permit 25.03.2010-25. 07.2010. According to the SHPP director, they have applied many times to Nature Protection Ministry to receive water usage permit.
- The water usage permit doesn’t mention water intake and water discharge coordinates. There are essential differences between the height above sea level mentioned in the water usage permit and the real height.
- The length of the concrete dam of the SHPP is 18 meters, its height is 2.5 meters. The width of the dam is 16 meters and height is 2 meters, according to the project.
- The environmental flow runs through the fish passway constructed on the right side of the dam.
- The bottom of the stair-like concrete fish passway, which is 9.0 meters long, 1.57 meters wide and 1.70 meter high, is covered with pebbles, which creates favourable conditions for the migration of the fish.
- There is a underground garbage collector of 4 meters long, and the distance between its bars is 3.0-3.5 cm. A small cage net, the distance of its bars is 4 , is located at the end of the sand trap – at the entrance of the pipeline.
- You can meet the following fish species in the following section of the Vorotan River: brown trout, South Caucasus Sprilin, Kura barbell, Sevan Khramulya (red-listed). Rainbow trout may regularly penetrate from the fish farms.
- The river banks are reinforced with river pebbles and not concrete, which is in harmony with nature. The sand trap is constructed separately 300 meters down the head section.
- According to the project and the PSRC certificate, the length of the pipeline is 4356 meters, its diameter is 1400 mm. It’s made of fiber material, buried under the ground and around 100 trees have been planted along it.
- According to the water usage permit, “Ishkhanasar” SHPP can take water in all months, annually 94.6 million cum ensuring 0.68 cum/s environmental flow in the river. Visual observation showed that the environmental flow was ensured.
- According to “Computation Center” CJSC data, in 2014 “Ishkhanasar” SHPP operated for 12 months in 2014 and produced 14867881 kW electricity.
- Percentage correlation of aggregate length of SHPP derivation pipelines (16482.37meters) of “Vorotna HPP” (the length of the derivation pipeline is 3220 meters, according to the certificate issued by the Public Services Regulatory Committee on 1 January 2015), “Shinuhayr” SHPP (the length of the derivation pipeline is 1555 meters, according to the certificate issued by the Public Services Regulatory Committee on 1 January 2015), “Apres” SHPP (the length of the derivation pipeline is 1700 meters, according to the certificate issued by the Public Services Regulatory Committee on 1 January 2015), “Vorotan-7” (the length of the derivation pipeline is 931.37 meters, according to the certificate issued by the Public Services Regulatory Committee on 1 January 2015), “Ishkhanasar” SHPP (the length of the derivation pipeline is 4356 meters, according to the project), “Mane” SHPP (the length of the derivation pipeline is 4720 meters, according to the certificate issued by the Public Services Regulatory Committee on 1 January 2015) with the length of Vorotan River makes up 9.25 % (178 km).
- There is one turbine of European CINK production installed in the station, which was operating at the moment of observation using 2.4 m3/s water.
- There is entire management system operating in the station.
- The entire automatic management of the water intake is ensured, which enables also managing environmental flow.
- There is no water-meter sealed by a relevant environmental body in the water intake.
- The transformer substation is fenced. The only transformer is equipped with oil-collecting system.
- The station building has beautiful architectural view. Everything in the area is neat and harmonic. The common area is improved, greened and planted with trees.
- The landscape is not disturbed and there no signs of landslides.
- Free water usage requirements are complied with.
- No inspections have been carried out in the SHPP.
- The SHPP employs 7 people.
Proposals
1. The fish passway can be made more comfortable for the migration of the fish.
2. To find technical solutions to install a fish-protecting net.
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Photos by Levon Galstyan
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".
March 17, 2016 at 16:18