Meghri Hydroelectric Project
Meghri Dam is located in Armenia
Meghri Dam
Location of Meghri Hydroelectric Project in Armenia
CountryArmenia
Iran
LocationMeghri
Coordinates38°54′11″N 46°17′59″E / 38.90306°N 46.29972°E / 38.90306; 46.29972
StatusProposed
Construction beganpending
Dam and spillways
Type of damDiversion dam for run-of-river pipes
ImpoundsAras River
Power Station
Turbines2x 50 MW (67,000 hp) each
Installed capacity100 MW (130,000 hp) (max. planned)

The Meghri hydroelectric project (also known as the Meghri Dam or Aras Watershed Dam) is a hydroelectric project planned on the Aras River near Armenia's southern town of Meghri on the Armenia–Iran border.

The joint Iranian–Armenia project was proposed in the 1990s and was discussed between Iranian and Armenian authorities.[1][2] Intergovernmental agreements between Armenia and Iran were signed in 2007 and 2008. On 14 April 2009, energy ministries of Armenia and Iran signed a memorandum on financing construction of the Meghri power station of Armenian side.[3] The dam and power stations construction contract was signed on 16 October 2010 with Farab Sepasad Company.[3][4] A ceremony on 17 November 2012, attended by Iran's Minister of Energy and the Armenian President, officially began construction.[5]

The basic studies were carried out by Arm-Hydroenergo-Project Company and Mahab-E-Qods Consulting Engineers Company in 1999.[1] The Meghri station was to be operated by Iran for 15 years after which it will be returned to Armenia free of charge.[6] However, construction has been delayed. As of 2017, the Armenian government’s Deputy Minister of Energy Infrastructures and Natural Resources Hayk Harutyunyanays said "Although the agreement has long been in force, the Iranian company has not made any investments to this day, so the governments of Armenia and Iran have to look for another investor."[7] The project is expected to cost US$400 million.[8]

Power stations

The complex was planned to comprise two 130 megawatts (170,000 hp) hydroelectric power stations — Ghare Chiler (also transcribed Gharachilar or Karachinar) on the Iranian side and Meghri on Armenia side.[9][10] Due to the sufficient difference in elevation and the presence of Aras Dam on the upstream, the power stations will be run-of-river type, wherein water is taken into pipes at a high elevation, carried downslope to powerhouses at lower elevation, then discharged back to the river. Both power station were conceived to have two turbines with a capacity of 65 megawatts (87,000 hp) each.[11] Revised study of river flows now indicates total Meghri generation capacity would be approximately 100 MW.[12]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Projects under study". Iran Water Resources Management Company. Retrieved 2011-01-29.
  2. ^ Moradi, Shima (2004-06-28). "Bitaraf Lauds Iran-Armenia Cooperation". Shana. Archived from the original on 2011-07-26. Retrieved 2011-01-29.
  3. ^ a b "Armenian-Iranian HPPs to be constructed on Araks River". News.am. 2010-09-16. Retrieved 2011-01-29.
  4. ^ "The contract for constructing of Meghri Dam & Power Plant in Armenia was signed" (Press release). FARAB. 2010-10-16. Archived from the original on 2011-07-10. Retrieved 2011-01-29.
  5. ^ "News: Meghry Power Plant Kicks off". Iran Water & Power Resources Development Co. 17 November 2012. Archived from the original on 13 March 2016. Retrieved 9 December 2012.
  6. ^ "Iranian company to construct hydropower plant in Meghri". Armenion. 2010-09-16. Archived from the original on 2010-11-19. Retrieved 2011-01-29.
  7. ^ "Iran and Armenia looking for new investor for Meghri hydropower plant construction". ARKA news agency. 2017-10-31. Retrieved 2019-12-13.
  8. ^ "Jointly Build a Dam across the Border River" (PDF). Iran Power & Water (127). Ministry of Energy of Iran: 28. October 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-22. Retrieved 2011-01-29.
  9. ^ "Letter of understanding for cooperation concerning Aras River was signed between Iran and Armenia" (Press release). Iran Water Resources Management Company. 2010-11-10. Archived from the original on 2011-06-27. Retrieved 2011-01-29.
  10. ^ "Araks Hydro". EBRD. Retrieved 2011-01-29.
  11. ^ "Aras Hydro Power Plant - Gharachilar". Iran Water Resources Management Company. Retrieved 2011-01-29.
  12. ^ "Iran and Armenia looking for new investor for Meghri hydropower plant construction, Para 6". arka.am. 31 October 2017. Retrieved 2019-12-13.
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