Video: The Kapsh Reservoir in Shirak Province to be Commissioned After 30 Years of Construction

Construction of the Kapsh Reservoir in Shirak Province has commenced after 30 years, with a total capacity of 60 million cubic meters.

According to a reporter from Armenpress, the construction of the reservoir will take place in two phases. In the first phase, which is expected to last three years, a reservoir with a capacity of 25 million cubic meters will be built, and in the second phase, the total capacity will be increased to 60 million cubic meters. The project's budget is approximately 120 million euros.

“Today marks the beginning of a very important and significant event for us. After many years of stagnation, the construction of the Kapsh Reservoir is finally starting, and the decision to put it into operation will lead to a number of key changes in both social and economic life. The core of the government’s recent policies has been to increase the number of irrigable land areas, and the construction of this reservoir will serve as a prerequisite for many of our communities and settlements to engage in sustainable agriculture,” said Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Khachatryan during the groundbreaking ceremony.

The ceremony was also attended by the Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures Gnel Sanosyan, ambassadors, and representatives of funding and construction organizations.

Once the 25 million cubic meters reservoir is constructed, it will supply water to approximately 17,000 hectares of land, and it will also create the opportunity to replace the mechanical irrigation of 2,280 hectares of land with gravity irrigation, saving 1.3 million kWh of electricity annually. In the case of the 60 million cubic meters capacity, the irrigable areas in Shirak Province will be increased by another 920 hectares, and the irrigation of about 6,600 hectares of land in the Talin region of Aragatsotn Province will be transitioned from mechanical to gravity irrigation, saving 11.0 million kWh of electricity annually.

Regular irrigation will increase agricultural production, and the installation of a reliable metering system will enhance management and monitoring levels.

“We have made considerable efforts for a long time to ensure that today’s event takes place and to commence construction. The government attaches great importance to the construction of reservoirs for many reasons. Without reservoirs, much of the water generated in our country will be lost, and during irrigation periods, often there is insufficient water with many consequences. However, this reservoir can solve such problems; new areas will become irrigable, a significant amount of electricity will be saved, and it will also have a positive impact in terms of tourism and other aspects,” highlighted Minister Gnel Sanosyan.

The project is being implemented with funding from the Reconstruction Credit Bank (KfW) and co-financing from the Government of Armenia, with the construction being carried out by the Chinese company Shanxi Construction Investment Group Co.