Sustainable Energy Successees

   

Currently, 29 small hydropower plants (less than 10 MW capacity) are in operation with a total capacity of 42.8 MW and average annual electricity generation of 107 million kWh. From the 24 small HPPs, constructed before 1957, 13 HPPs were privatized in late 1997, and 8 HPPs were written off. In the last 5 years, 11 new HPPs were constructed (total capacity 9.86MW), from which only one is state owned. Now in 2002, 11 private HPPs with a total capacity of 25.5MW are under construction.

The theoretical potential for hydropower resources of Armenia has been estimated to 21.8 billion kWh/year. This includes 18.6 billion kWh/year for large and medium rivers and 3.2 billion kWh/year for small rivers. The technically available potential is estimated to be 7-8 billion kWh/year, and the economically feasible potential is 3.2-3.5 billion kWh/year. The present average annual electricity generation by all hydropower stations in Armenia totals 1.6 billion kWh/year.

According to previous research in 1997 (CEEETA, Portugal and Institute Armhydroenergyproject), there is a possibility to construct 325 small HPPs with total capacity of 274 MW and average annual electricity generation of 833 million kWh. Of these small HPPs, 38 (with a total capacity of 70 MW) have been selected that are most feasible and attractive ones for the investments. To overcome barriers to receive credit arrangements for HPPs construction, the possibility to establish USAID sponsored revolving fund is under consideration. PA Consulting (UK) is involved in the organization of the Fund.

Below is presented a description of a typical new privately constructed small HPP: