On August 7, a resident of Nerkin Getashen Community, Gegharkunik Region, told EcoLur that Argitchi SHPP built on the Argitchi River was operating in August. The EcoLur team visited the area of the SHPP station and saw that one of the pipes coming out of the SHPP station was draining into the river. The sounds of the station equipment were heard. It should be noted that in August this SHPP should not operate according to its water use permit. It is also mentioned in the letter of RA Acting Minister of Environment Vahe Jilavyan № 2/10.1.5/7575 addressed to EcoLur about the non-operation of the SHPP. "Argitchi SHPP, according to its water permit N 000031, does not draw water from Argitchi River in August."
In any case, the bodies supervising the SHPPs can easily check whether the Argitchi SHPP is operating or not, both from “Settlement Center” CJSC and the method developed by the Government of the Republic of Armenia.
Reminder: on March 14, 2019, the RA Government adopted Resolution 225-N, which regulates alternative methods of control over HPPs. The method approved by this resolution allows to make a recalculation based on the electricity generated by hydropower plants per unit time to determine the volume of water used, compare it with the water intake limit issued by the water use permit, record possible violations, take appropriate preventive measures.
August 10, 2020 at 21:20