YEREVAN. - In a number of cases Armenian Hydro Power Plants (HPPs) experience financial difficulties because of careless schemes, Inessa Gabayan, director at the Armenian “Hydroenergitica” consulting company told Armenian News – NEWS.am, commenting on the outcomes of the Armenian-Norwegian project “Sustainable Hydro-Power Development for Energy Security” in 2011-14.

Construction investors of small HPPs also face the problem of availability of funds (because of high rates on loan) and technical issues. But in a number of cases, the financial difficulties can be explained by exactly technical errors in calculation.

“Incorrect estimation is a wrong order for aggregate. For instance, it can be very weak or too strong, not covering the cost. And this creates difficulties with returning the loan,” Gabayan said.

Besides, according to the research, HPP constructors do not always observe the requirements on fish-chutes and water passes to support the river current.  

In the framework of the program, support was provided in drawing up documents for the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), as well as studying of the small HPP schemes.

At the hearings the local residents made a number of proposals, on the basis of which changes were made to the ready schemes. “We were pleasantly surprised by the preparedness of ordinary people,” Gabayan said.