ArmInfo.Armenia is revising the deadline for completing the construction of the Vedi reservoir. On May 27, the Armenian government approved a proposal to amend the loan agreement with the French Development Agency (AFD) on the timing of construction work and the use of loan funds.
On January 26, 2016, in order to finance the construction of a reservoir in Vedi, the French Development Agency allocated a loan of 75 million euros to the Republic of Armenia (co-financing of the RA government will be 15 million euros.). Within the framework of the project it is planned to build a reservoir with a volume of 29.4 cubic meters , and the full implementation of the program will make it possible to alleviate the water shortage in the Ararat Valley, as well as to switch from mechanical irrigation to a gravity feed system, which, in turn, will lead to energy savings.
A 36-kilometer pipeline has already been built, starting from the irrigation canal of the Vedi reservoir, through which the water will reach the irrigated area of 3220 hectares. As a result of the implementation of the program, water withdrawal from Lake Sevan will decrease by 19 million cubic meters, and the area of irrigated land will increase by about 300 hectares. After the operation of the reservoir, 11 pump stations will be turned off, and 3 more - in part, the annual savings will be about 1 billion drams or 19 million kW/h electricity. Losses of intra-network farms will be reduced by 20-25%. According to the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures, projects have been developed for the reconstruction of an on- farm irrigation network for 4,000 hectares. Water intake units have been built on the Vedi and Khosrov rivers, and a 10.5 km long pipeline has been installed.
According to the rationale for the document, the agreement entered into force on May 12, 2016, construction work was to be completed On March 31, 2021, the deadline for the use of credit resources May 31, 2021. To date, funds in the amount of 56 million euros have been used. In general, according to the document, the program has been implemented by 71%. The government proposes to extend the construction completion date until July 31, 2023, and the use of the loan - until September 30, 2023. These changes, as noted, do not provide for additional financial obligations for the state budget of Armenia.
Note that the construction of the Vedi reservoir with a volume of 29 million cubic meters and a water surface of 120 hectares was originally planned to be completed within four years. The rivers of the Ararat region - Vedi and Khosrov will become the sources of water. The construction of the reservoir is of great strategic importance for Armenia. Turkey previously announced its plans to build large reservoirs on the Araks, which carries risks for the Armenian side in the form of a shortage of irrigation water. Armenia cannot completely neutralize such risks. The reservoir in Vedi will help mitigate the effects of Turkish water expansion.
