Construction of power lines for a cascade of new HPPs begins in Uzbekistan
In the Kashkadarya region of Uzbekistan, a key stage of the project for the construction of a cascade of small hydroelectric power stations on the Aksu River has been launched – the construction of new power transmission lines. This step became possible after the successful completion of the plan to acquire land and pay compensation to local residents whose plots were affected by the construction of hydroelectric power stations and power lines.
The implementation of the project with the participation of Uzbekhydroenergo JSC with the financial support of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) became possible thanks to the state investment program of Uzbekistan worth $ 2.6 billion, aimed at increasing the country’s hydropower capacity by 1.6 GW by 2030.
The infrastructure component of the project includes the construction of a 22-kilometer power transmission line with a voltage of 35-110 kV. This line will connect a cascade of three new small hydroelectric power plants – the 6 MW Rabat HPP, the 8 MW Chappasu HPP and the 10 MW Tamshush HPP located along the Aksu River in Shakhrisabz district – with the existing substation of the Gissarak HPP. The total capacity of the new HPP cascade will be 25 MW.
During the preparation for the construction, detailed work was carried out with the population. The route of the future transmission line affected the territory with a total area of 8.57 hectares, of which 2.89 hectares were used by local households, mainly for gardens and vegetable gardens. An important feature of the plan was the decision to pay full compensation to all affected parties, regardless of whether they have formalized land rights. As emphasized in the ADB report just published, this approach complies with international social standards and allowed to take into account the interests of thirteen families who received payments for the loss of trees and temporary inconveniences. The damage assessment was carried out by independent organizations Brend Biznes Baho and Kontinentimkon Baho based on the market value of assets and discounted profits for four years.
The total budget of the compensation plan amounted to about 367.2 million Uzbek soums, which is equivalent to about 28.7 thousand US dollars. In addition to direct payments for lost assets, additional benefits were provided for particularly vulnerable and severely affected households. Representatives of Uzbekhydroenergo held consultations with residents, during which they explained the payment mechanism and discussed the details of the project. The local population, as noted in the report, generally positively received the construction of hydroelectric power stations and power lines, pinning hopes on it for improving the quality of electricity supply and creating new opportunities for the development of villages. At the moment, all compensation payments for trees have been fully completed. The process of transferring benefits is being completed, after which the land plots will be transferred to the contractor – the Chinese company China National Electric Engineering – to start construction work.
To resolve any disputes, the project has created a multi-level complaints mechanism available to all residents. During the reporting period, two main complaints were recorded: damage to the irrigation ditch during construction work and dust on the roads. Both problems were solved – the ditch was restored, and to combat dust, residents of the village of Yakkakhona were provided with a water pump with a hose and organized watering of roads.
To date, the implementation of the project in Kashkadarya region is in an active phase. The work on the construction of the Rabat HPP is almost complete, intensive installation and concreting is underway at the Chappasu HPP and the Tamshush HPP. In parallel, the installation of supports for power transmission lines with a voltage of 35 and 110 kV continues.
Aruzhan Ibrayeva (Rivers.Help!)
Original (in Russian): В Узбекистане начинается строительство ЛЭП для каскада новых ГЭС
