Sevan–Hrazdan Cascade

Sevan–Hrazdan Cascade
Kanaker HPP 13
Location of Sevan–Hrazdan Cascade in Armenia
Official name	Սևան-Հրազդան Կասկադ
Country	Armenia
Location	Hrazdan, Kotayk Province
Coordinates	40°30′28″N 44°45′38″E / 40.50778°N 44.76056°E / 40.50778; 44.76056Coordinates: 40°30′28″N 44°45′38″E / 40.50778°N 44.76056°E / 40.50778; 44.76056
Purpose	M
Status	Operational
Construction began	1930
Opening date	1959
Operator(s)	International Energy Corporation
Power station
Type	Run-of-the-river
Installed capacity	560 MW
Annual generation	500 GWh
Website mek.am

Sevan–Hrazdan Cascade (Armenian: Սևան-Հրազդան Կասկադ) is the hydropower system of hydropower plants (HPPs) in Armenia. It includes seven HPPs: Sevan, Hrazdan, Argel, Arzni, Kanaker, Yerevan-1 and Yerevan-3 HPPs. The HPPs are placed on the Hrazdan River and they use irrigation water flow from the Lake Sevan and streams waters of Hrazdan River that gives an opportunity to irrigate 70% of Armenian agricultural lands.

Overview

The Sevan-Hrazdan HPP Cascade consists of seven separate hydropower plants, with 565 MW total nominal capacity. The building process took more than thirty years and it was built in 1930–1965 years. The Sevan-Hrazdan HPP Cascade plays a great role in electricity system of Armenia and for this reason now it quickly needs its output capacity to be restored and substantial rehabilitation in order to ensure safe and stable operation. The cascade is owned by the International Energy Corporation (IEC).^[1]

Sevan-Hrazdan HPP Cascade is invested by international banks, which have requirements for the Sevan-Hrazdan HPP Cascade. The requirements are to have current operation and the investment project to be in line with the Armenian and EU legal standards, as well as EBRD’s Performance Requirements and ADB’s relevant environmental and social policies.

System details and structure

The Sevan-Hrazdan Hydro Power Plant (HPP) Cascade was built between 1930 and 1962. Since then it has had a crucial influence on Armenia's hydropower generating system. The Cascade includes seven small HPPs which are located along Hrazdan River and its tributaries between Lake Sevan and Yerevan.^[2]

Sevan HPP
Hrazdan HPP
Argel HPP
Arzni HPP
Kanaker HPP
Yerevan-1
Yerevan-3

The length of the Cascade is about 70 kilometres (43 mi). The system of those seven HPPs is run-of-the-river. All of them together make up 1/10 of Armenia's electricity. Compared to thermal power plants, the energy generated in Sevan-Hrazdan Hydro Power Plant is much more affordable.

Power Plant	Year	Number of Units	Installed Capacity (MW)	Available Capacity (MW)	Unavailable Capacity (MW)	Coordinates
Yerevan-3 HPP	1960	1	5	5	0	40°9′51.1″N 44°30′3.3″E / 40.164194°N 44.500917°E / 40.164194; 44.500917
Yerevan-1 HPP	1962	2	44	22	22	40°11′22.2″N 44°29′55.5″E / 40.189500°N 44.498750°E / 40.189500; 44.498750
Kanaker HPP	1936	6	100	87.5	12.5	40°13′14″N 44°31′6″E / 40.22056°N 44.51833°E / 40.22056; 44.51833
Arzni HPP	1956	3	70.6	70.6	0	40°17′48.5″N 44°35′18.9″E / 40.296806°N 44.588583°E / 40.296806; 44.588583
Argel HPP	1953	4	224	168	56	40°22′44.1″N 44°36′28.5″E / 40.378917°N 44.607917°E / 40.378917; 44.607917
Hrazdan HPP	1959	2	81.6	81.6	0	40°30′29.2″N 44°45′39.4″E / 40.508111°N 44.760944°E / 40.508111; 44.760944
Sevan HPP	1949	2	34.2	24	10.2	40°33′17″N 44°57′55.5″E / 40.55472°N 44.965417°E / 40.55472; 44.965417
Total		20	559.4	458.7	100.7

Sevan-Hrazdan-Cascade

The operation of the Sevan–Hrazdan Cascade is completely dependent on amount of water supply from the Lake Sevan. Because of that, five out of seven HPPs operate all year long, and the other two stations work only during the irrigation season when additional water is available in the system. Because of two facts the Cascade needs to follow the country's strategy of irrigation: agriculture and water availability. Firstly, agriculture is very essential sector in Armenia and because of that a lot of water is used from Lake Sevan. Secondly, the water supply is limited. This is the reason why the Power Plant cannot operate fully and constantly. If looking at the statistics, 150 m^3 of water is released annually from the lake.

The water is transported from the Lake Seven to the HPPs through open diversion canals and tunnels. Most of these canals were built in 1960s and are now under poor conditions and require rehabilitation.

Chart for Sevan-Hrazdan Cascade

Environmental and social issues

The system’s core risks from its operation and rehabilitation plan are coming from its reservoir management, for instance—the management of oils and lubricants for turbines and transformers, lead/acid batteries and material. No need to mention the health and security of the community. As there is a plan to dredge Yerevan-1 dam right on the biological environment—there is also a high-level risk because of increased turbidity. Another negative impact may be expected due to works and equipment transportations, which would cause pollution and noise, resulting in a social indignation. The rehabilitation process will not include any further expansion or creation of new facilities—all the work items are approved according to the plan.^[3]

Rehabilitation project

Most part of the Sevan–Hrazdan Cascade is currently in bad condition. Since its establishment there had not been held any big repairs. Currently, there is a rehabilitation project going on the Sevan–Hrazdan Cascade that is predicted to be completed in 2017. The main goal of the rehabilitation project is to get back to the initial capacity of 44,7 MW. The rehabilitation project is not planning to increase the initial capacity of 44,7 MW. As a result of the rehabilitation project, Sevan–Hrazdan Cascade will become safer, more reliable and efficient. The rehabilitation project will have a good effect on the environment and will decrease the pollution. By Environmental and Social Policy 2008 the rehabilitation project was classified as B. To minimize the effect on the environment and the environmental pollution the Environmental and Social Action Plan/Corrective Action Plan was created, as well as to meet the Armenian, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and Asian Development Bank (ADB) requests. The main risks of environmental pollution were included in this plan.^[4]

The planned works for the rehabilitation project include a complete reconstruction of Yerevan-1 HPP. Sevan HPP, Hrazdan HPP, Argel HPP, Arzni HPP, and Kanaker HPP will have a new electrical equipment, such as new accumulator battery, new generator, etc. Also, the hydro units of Argel HPP, Hrazdan HPP and Kanaker HPP will be replaced. All the planned works of the rehabilitation project will be held on the Sevan–Hrazdan Cascade HPP territories and does not require any additional land purchases.

To improve the overall condition of the Sevan–Hrazdan Cascade the IEC and the shareholder of the Sevan–Hrazdan Cascade, JSC RusHydro, plan to make an investment in the rehabilitation project.^[5] ^[6]

References

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