Sevan Hydroelectric Power Plant

The Sevan Hydroelectric Power Plant, is the upper power station of the cascade. It is an underground power station locating 100 metres (330 ft) below the surface. It has two turbines with a total nominal capacity of 34.2 MW and the factual capacity of about 24 MW.^[9][10] Its nominal annual generation is 130 GWh, but the factual generation for the last years has been about 15 GWh. The water intake of the Sevan HPS was renovated in 2010.^[11]

Hrazdan Hydroelectric Power Plant

The Hrazdan Hydroelectric Power Plant, known as Atarbekyan during the Soviet years, is located between the Sevan and Argel stations. It has two turbines with a total installed capacity of 81.6 MW.^[9][12] Its nominal annual generation is 375 GWh, but the factual generation for the last years has been about 40 GWh.

Argel Hydroelectric Power Plant

The Argel Hydroelectric Power Plant, is located between the Hrazdan and Arzni stations. It is the largest power plant of the cascade. It has four turbines, supplied by LMZ, with total installed nominal capacity of 224 MW and available capacity about 168 MW.^[9][13] Its nominal annual generation is 870 GWh, but the factual generation for the last years has been about 200 GWh. The plant is important for ensuring the frequency of the Armenian power system, ensuring the emergency supply to the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant, and supplying peak-load capacity.^[14]

In May 1995, landslides caused by heavy rains destroyed one of the plant spillways and blocked the Hrazdan River channel. It was restored and reopened in 2000 and 2006 correspondingly.^[13]

Arzni Hydroelectric Power Plant

The Arzni Hydroelectric Power Plant is located between of the Argel and Kanaker stations. It has three turbines with total installed capacity of 70.6 MW.^[9][15] Its nominal annual generation is 300 GWh, but the factual generation for the last years has been about 80 GWh.

Kanaker Hydroelectric Power Plant

The Kanaker Hydroelectric Power Plant is located next to the Rusal Armenal aluminum smelter in the Kanaker-Zeytun District of Yerevan, in between of the Arzni HPP and the Yerevan-1 HPP. It has a total installed capacity of 100 MW which consists of four turbines with capacity of 12.5 MW each and two turbines with capacity of 25 MW each, all supplied by LMZ. The nominal installed capacity is !00 MW and the factual capacity is 87.5 MW.^[9][13] Its nominal annual generation is 425 GWh, but the factual generation for the last years has been about 110 GWh. The plant is important for providing the peak-load capacity as also supplying Yerevan with irrigation and industrial water.^[16]

The plant was rehabilitated in 1993–1995, a project financed by USAID, Energy pour l’Armenie and Aznavour pour l’Armenie.^[16] In 1995, the unit 5 and in 2000, the unit 6 were shut for the renovation, financed by the loan from KfW. These units were reopened in 2003.^[13] The renovation was carried out by Alstom Power Generation.^[16]

Yerevan Hydroelectric Power Plant-1

The Yerevan Hydroelectric Power Plant-1 is located between the Kanaker and Yerevan-3 stations, at the central Kentron District of Yerevan. It has two turbines with the total installed nominal capacity of 44 MW and available capacity of 22 MW.^[9][17] Its nominal annual generation is 210 GWh, but the factual generation for the last years has been about 50 GWh. It supplies the center part of Yerevan.^[17]

Yerevan Hydroelectric Power Plant-3

The Yerevan Hydroelectric Power Plant-3 is located in Yerevan. It has one turbined with installed capacity of 5 MW.^[9] Its diversion channel and penstock are part of the Artashat irrigation channel.^[18]