ArmInfo. In Armenia, standards of construction of small hydropower plants will be tightened. The amendments to the Water Code were made at the sitting of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia on October 24 in the first reading.
Introducing the draft amendments, Acting Minister of Nature Protection Erik Grigoryan noted that the draft law prohibits the construction of small hydropower stations in fish places, as well as on rivers where the diversion load exceeds 40%. Construction will be prohibited in forest areas, as well as around natural monuments. The acting minister noted that in many rivers the figure of 40% was not respected, often up to 90% of the river flow was taken to the pipe.
The draft law is not aimed at banning the construction of new SHPPs, but at tracking their original purpose - the production of an environmentally acceptable source of electricity. "The law is not aimed at banning the construction of small hydropower plants, but at their regulation and increase in productivity. The work of existing small hydropower plants has led to serious environmental problems, and they significantly affect not only the flow of water in rivers, but also the ecological situation and almost the destruction of fish stocks, despite the fact that they can work more environmentally friendly and with a higher indicator of efficiency, "Erik Grigoryan said. He noted that today many problems have already been identified with existing hydroelectric power plants, however, new amendments to the law will not have retroactive effect and will not apply to licenses already granted. Earlier, ArmInfo reported that a working group had been formed for the purpose of research on small hydropower plants. According to the results of research serious decisions will be made. Currently, there are 186 small hydropower plants in Armenia that produce 19-20% of the total electricity generated in the country. The Government of Armenia is interested in the development of small hydropower facilities, but not to the detriment of the environment. Small hydropower is part of renewable energy, the development of which is among the priorities of the country's government.