52 SMALL HYDROPOWER PLANTS TO BE CONSTRUCTED IN ARMENIA IN 2007-2010

YEREVAN, MARCH 2, NOYAN TAPAN. It is envisaged to construct and put
into operation 52 small hydropower plants, including 36 ones on
natural water flow, in Armenia in 2007-2010. 47 bln 453 mln drams
(about 135 mln USD) will be spent on their construction. According to
the RA Public Services Regulatory Commission, this year 20 small
hydropower plants with the total capacity of 21,888 kilowatts will be
put into operation. At present 52 small hydropower plants with the
total capacity of 64,377 kilowatts operate in the country. According
to the same source, it is envisaged to put into operation 102 small
hydropower plants with the total capacity of 183,903 kilowatts or
annual prodcutivity of 662.2 mln kwh in 2010. Most of them will be
constructed in Lori, Syunik, Vayots Dzor and Tavush marzes. To recap,
in 2006 the amount of electricity generated by small hydropower plants
did not exeed 3%. In 2010, this index will increase fourfold and make
12%.