Khelra HPP

On the river Khelra

PRE-FEASIBILITY STUDY
ON THE KHELRA RIVER BASIN
AQUAHYDRO LTD
The information presented in this report is confidential

KHELRA HPP
ON THE RIVER KHELRA
PRE-FEASIIBILITY STUDY
OF THE KHELRA HPP

AQUAHYDRO LTD

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................ 2
1.

Object location and basic parameters ..................................................................................... 3

2.

Topographic map of potential course object territory............................................................ 5

3.

Brief geological data of object location, geological map ....................................................... 6

4.

Seismic data of the object location and the map .................................................................... 8

5.

Hydrological and meteorological data .................................................................................. 12

6.

Energy calculations and hydraulics........................................................................................ 18

7.

Infrastructure......................................................................................................................... 21

8.

Grid Connection ..................................................................................................................... 23

9.

Estimated calculation ............................................................................................................ 25

10.

Economic and Financial Analysis ....................................................................................... 25

KHELRA HPP
ON THE RIVER KHELRA
PRE-FEASIIBILITY STUDY
OF THE KHELRA HPP

AQUAHYDRO LTD

1. OBJECT LOCATION AND BASIC PARAMETERS

Construction of Khelra HPP is planned in the region of Samegrelo, Upper-Svaneti, on the

river Khelra. The Estimated installed capacity of HPP amounts 3.1 MW, the head race
benchmark is 1125 m. The water flows to the 2100 m long penstock from the head,
benchmark of the downstream water is 903 m.

Project location map.

Khelra river flows from the northern slope of the Chishla ridge on the 2800 meters high and
joins the River Inguri from the left side, at the Ipari village on the 788 m benchmark. The
length of the River is 13 km, full drop 2012 m, Average slope - 154 , catchment area
25.5 km, average height - 1950 m. 38 medium and small tributaries run into the river.
Network frequency of the river basin is 0.64 km/km.
The basin of the river has an asymmetrical shape, which is bordered by the river Khumpreri
from the east and from the west by the river Ipari catchment basins. The Basin length is 14
km, the average width 2.6 km.

KHELRA HPP
ON THE RIVER KHELRA
PRE-FEASIIBILITY STUDY
OF THE KHELRA HPP

AQUAHYDRO LTD

The surface of the basin is characterized by mountainous terrain. It is highly fragmented by

the erosion deep gorges of the tributaries, which sides are aslope enough, some sections are
steep. At the watershed ridges the heights of the mountains change within the 1250-3020 m.
According to the the tectonic terms, the catchment area is the part of the folded zone of
Gagra-Java and includes Khaishi and north subzones of the porphyritic Juri. The border
between subzones goes on the deep fault of the Idliani-Rckhmeuli which crosses the study
space by the direction of the geographical parallel.
The mojor part of the catchment basin of the river Khelra is covered by of the herbal
vegetation. Mainly here is the mixed forest _ beech, oak, fir, chestnut, hornbeam. The forest
is sparse in the downstream. The Woodness consists 60%.
The river Khelra is fed by snow, rain and ground water. Its water regime is characterized by
spring-summer floods, summer-autumn flooded conditions and relatively stable shallow
water-resistance of winter.
Project includes the following components:
Low threshold dam, jigger headlamps and fish ladder;
Closed grid of desilter camera, fish-protection grid;
Penstock (2100 m);
Power knot, equipped by two horizontal axis Pelton type turbines;
Access roads.
The main technical parameters of the Khelra HPP are:
Gross head - 223 m;
Type of dam - low threshold dam, height - 3 m, width - 25 m;
Metal penstock, length - 2100 m, diameter - 1,0 m;
Number of turbines 2, type - Pelton - horizontal axis - 2 water jets;
Maximum power - 3.1 MW;
Average output - 12.1 GWh;
Grid connection: Khelra HPP by the 35 kV tyre will be connected with the existed 35 kV line
voltage of Khudoni-Mestia;
Cost - 4.3 million US dollars.

KHELRA HPP
ON THE RIVER KHELRA
PRE-FEASIIBILITY STUDY
OF THE KHELRA HPP

AQUAHYDRO LTD

2. TOPOGRAPHIC MAP OF POTENTIAL COURSE OBJECT

TERRITORY
Tipography of object location is presented below on the 1:25000 scale map:

Displacement area of objects 1:25000 map and plan.

KHELRA HPP
ON THE RIVER KHELRA
PRE-FEASIIBILITY STUDY
OF THE KHELRA HPP

AQUAHYDRO LTD

3. BRIEF GEOLOGICAL DATA OF OBJECT LOCATION,

GEOLOGICAL MAP
By the terms of to the tectonic zoning of Georgia, the gorge of the project object of the river
Khelra is included folded system of Lias schists in the south slope of the Greater Caucasus,
Bajocian volcanogenic series, upper Jura and cretaceous carbonate in Gagra-Java spreading
zone and includes lower Jurassic period sand and shale formations of lower Khaishi subzone.
According to the geomorphological standpoint, the study gorge represents the erosiandenudational alpine relief that is developed on the folded substrate of the lower Jurassic
period terrigenic formation with the ancient and modern glacier remains.
Terrigenous formations are the lower Jurassic period lower subset formations of Muashi
(J12ms1) which are represented with dark gray grapholite and sandy shales with the rare mid
layers of the quartz sandstones. The gorge of the river Khelra on the project section crosses
only lower rocks of Muashi formation. Rocks are cliffy and semi cliffy, characterized by
gravelly grained and gravelly clay with the residual soil.
In the lower gorge of the river Khelra, with the direction of the first right tributary
downstream on 1.5 kilometers is marked glacier-river sediments that are represented by the
boulders, nodules, pebbles and sand and rarely with the sandy soils.
At the joining area of the river, at the the building deployment location of the presetned
HPP deluvial-proluvial formations are marked that is represented by gravelly grained bottom
and gravelly clay filler.
At the territory of the hydropower complex layout area the tectonic faults and the modern
geodynamic processes (landslides, mud-slides) are not observed.

KHELRA HPP
ON THE RIVER KHELRA
PRE-FEASIIBILITY STUDY
OF THE KHELRA HPP

AQUAHYDRO LTD

KHELRA HPP
ON THE RIVER KHELRA
PRE-FEASIIBILITY STUDY
OF THE KHELRA HPP

AQUAHYDRO LTD

4. SEISMIC DATA OF THE OBJECT LOCATION AND THE

MAP
Georgia and the whole Caucasus region situate within a wide deformation zone between the
Black sea and the Caspian sea, which is part of the Alps-Himalayan collision belt. The
movement of the Arabian plate to the north towards the Eurasian plate determine the main
tectonic picture of the region. Continental collision caused the wrinkling and uplifted the
main mountain range of the Greater Caucasus, which is currently the tallest mountain
systems segment in the western Alps-Himalayan Belt. Here two continental plates collision is
marked: Arabian Plate moves to the north and collides with the Eurasian plate. The collision
of plates generates two types of deterioration: types of displacement fault in Iran and Turkey
and overthrust faults in the Caucasus.
Because of the general seismicity of the Caucasus in the 80-90s, the increasing of seismic
activity was observed, that indicators are the powerful earthquakes that happend one after
another. For instance: Spitak earthquake in Armenia in 1988 M = 7.0, Racha earthquake in
1991 M = 7.0, Barisakho earthquake in Georgia in 1992 M = 6.5, Erzincan earthquake in
Turkey in 1993 M = 7.3. Active faults are mostly located on the borders of tectonic blocks.
Latitudinal direction fault along the Caucasus should be noted. The numberof intrazonal
fault has the same direction. Most of these faults are intratelluric.
Due to the quality of technical lability, the territory of Georgia is divided into five major
geotechnical units: I- anticli-norium mountain range of the Caucasus, II- folded system of
the southern slope of the Caucasus, III- the belt of Georgia (Mtatusheti), IV- folded system of
Adjara-Trialeti and V- the belt of Artvis-Bologna (Armenia), see map below:
The catchment basin of the river Khelra is located in the II _ southern slope of the Caucasus
folded system II4 porphyritic Juri north subzone of Gagra-Java which represented
geosincline during the whole Mesozoic and lower Paleogene. It is built with the huge thick
sediments and partially with the volcanogenic formations. The intense wrinkling and south
leaning is characterized for the entire system. Here the strongly compressed of isoclinic or
asymmetric common Caucasian direction of traction linear wrinkles is developed.

KHELRA HPP
ON THE RIVER KHELRA
PRE-FEASIIBILITY STUDY
OF THE KHELRA HPP

AQUAHYDRO LTD

The analysis of seismic data shows that this is an average seismic region. The magnitude of
the strong earthquakes which are fixed here is equal to 7, whereas micro seismic intensity is
9 Ball (MSK scale). Reiteration period of the strong earthquakes is 103-104 years type.
Variety of seismic catalogs have been used for the purpose of seismic analysis the: the
Caucasus earthquake catalog which was existed in the seismic monitoring center; special
catalog for Caucasus that was created within the Assessment Program for Global Seismic
Hazard and the catalog for the strong earthquakes.

KHELRA HPP
ON THE RIVER KHELRA
PRE-FEASIIBILITY STUDY
OF THE KHELRA HPP

AQUAHYDRO LTD

The study area (central part of the Caucasus) is one of the most seismically active region in
Georgia. On the map you can see the historical earthquakes epicenter map that existed in the
catalog (only medium and strong earthquakes is contained M> 3).
In the period of instrumental observations the region was distinguished with the high
seismic activity particularly epicenter zone of Racha earthquake in 1991 is noteworthy.
Racha earthquake was the largest seismic event. The magnitude of the earthquake is M = 7.0,
whereas the intensity in the epicenter was 9 Ball. The epicenter of the earthquake was
located in the mountainous villages of Racha and Imereti.
Racha earthquake was related to the active fault of Gagra-Java. The earthquake epicenter is
still seismically active. The measurement data show that in this region the crust movement
of the earth is quite intense, about 4-5 mm per year. Intermountain area has the same speed
towards the central part of the Caucasus folded system. This modern data are in the good
assent with the geological and seismic researches.
On the presented map, the seismic zoning of Georgia is shown. It was prepared by the
Institute of Geophysics of Georgia and according to the map the Ipari HPP in the earthquake
zone is equal to 9 Ball.

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KHELRA HPP
ON THE RIVER KHELRA
PRE-FEASIIBILITY STUDY
OF THE KHELRA HPP

AQUAHYDRO LTD

11

KHELRA HPP
ON THE RIVER KHELRA
PRE-FEASIIBILITY STUDY
OF THE KHELRA HPP

AQUAHYDRO LTD

5. HYDROLOGICAL AND METEOROLOGICAL DATA

5.1.

Hydrological data

By hydrological point of view, the river Khelra has not studied. Thats why its average
annual flow values are determined by the method given in hydrological reference book The
surface water resources of the USSR Volume IX, Issue I, West Transcaucasia.

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KHELRA HPP
ON THE RIVER KHELRA
PRE-FEASIIBILITY STUDY
OF THE KHELRA HPP

AQUAHYDRO LTD

Khelra river gorge.

However, in addition, from the nearby checkpoint stations, the average value of multi year
water flow has been calculated, which is equal to the values that are given below, so the
below-described method was taken into consideration.
According to the above mantioned method, for the the location district of the study river
basin from the influence curve between the average heights of the pond and flows module,
the average annual flow of the river basin module is determined, which in our case is equal
from 45.0 l / sec km. From here, average flow of the river Khelra in the main building
section of the HPP project section is equal to:

Q0

Fkm2 Ml / sek .km2 22.9 * 45

1.03 m3/s
1000
1000

In the project section, the average monthly costs of 50% provision are given in the table
below. The ecological flow of the river is also included (which in the water intake section is
equal to 10% of the average annual flow) and the table also includes the amount of water in
the river which will be supplied to the HPP, environmental flows are also foreseen.
Expenditure
50 %- provision
Av. monthly
On the head
Environmental
Flows
Taken by HPP

I
II
III
(average hydrous)

IV

VI

VII

VIII

IX

XI

XII

Year

0.3

0.3

0.5

1.2

2.0

2.3

2.0

1.3

0.9

0.7

0.5

0.4

1.0

0.1
0.2

0.1
0.2

0.1
0.4

0.1
1.1

0.1
1.9

0.1
2.2

0.1
1.9

0.1
1.2

0.1
0.8

0.1
0.6

0.1
0.4

0.1
0.3

0.10
0.9

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KHELRA HPP
ON THE RIVER KHELRA
PRE-FEASIIBILITY STUDY
OF THE KHELRA HPP

AQUAHYDRO LTD

River Khelra intra-annual distribution of the average annual costs of accounting provision in the project
section.

Average annual flow hydrograph of the river Khelra in the project section

The average monthly and annual costs of the river Khelra, which are given in the water
amount box that should be taken by project HPP intake, are accepted as the calculating
values.

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KHELRA HPP
ON THE RIVER KHELRA
PRE-FEASIIBILITY STUDY
OF THE KHELRA HPP

AQUAHYDRO LTD

Watershed map.

15

KHELRA HPP
ON THE RIVER KHELRA
PRE-FEASIIBILITY STUDY
OF THE KHELRA HPP

5.1.

AQUAHYDRO LTD

Meteorological data

Basin of the river Khelra belongs to the river Inguri basin, which locates in the climatic
region of the western Caucasus, where humid subtropical climate is dominated. On the
thermal regime of the West Caucasus is affected by the Black Sea which influence is
weakened in the basin of the river Inguri.
One of the main feature of the climat conditions is the air temperature, which average
monthly, annual and extreme values are given, according to the multi-year meteorological
observations of Khaishi that locates near the project power plant, is presented in the table
below:

The average monthly, annual and extreme temperatures of the air.

The table shows that the hottest months in the region are July and August, whereas the
coldest is January.
The annual sum of precipitation in the region varies in the range of 1421 mm. Annual
precipitation is almost equally distributed between months. The following table shows the
average monthly rainfall and the annual number of according the same observation data of
the Khaishi meteorological station.

The average monthly and annual sum rainfall in mm.

According to Khaishi multi-year meteorological observation data, the snow coverage

commonly appears 6.XII and disappear 21.III. At the same time, the average decade height of
snow cover, by the same meteorological station data amount 48 cm, and the maximum
average decade height is 135 cm.
The emergence and disappearance dates of the snow cover, according the same multiobservation of the meteorological station data is presented on the table below.

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KHELRA HPP
ON THE RIVER KHELRA
PRE-FEASIIBILITY STUDY
OF THE KHELRA HPP

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Meteorological Number
snowy days
station
Khaishi

of

Emergence date of snow cover

Disappearance date of snow cover

Number

Average

Early

Late L

Average

Early

Late

62

6.XII.

25.X

24.I

21.III.

21.II.

24.IV

Emergence and disappearance dates of snow cover.

The snow cover maximum decade heights of different providing values according to Khaishi
meteorological station multi-decade observation is shown in the table below.
Provision

Meteorological
station

P%

Khaishi

95

90

75

50

25

10

15

29

44

64

83

107

Snow cover different provision values of maximum decade heights (cm).

Annual procession of the air humidity practically coincides with the annual course of the air
temperature. High rates of the air humidity deficit here is fixed in the summer months,
whereas the minimum in winter. Air humidity characteristics, according to multi-year
observation data of the same meteorological station, are presented in the following table.
Met.
station

Khaishi

Humidity

II

III

IV

VI

VII

VII
I

IX

XI

XII

Year

Absolut.

5.2

5.4

6.2

8.4

12

15.4

18.1

17.8

14.4

10.5

7.7

5.8

10.6

Percent %

81

79

74

70

71

73

74

74

78

81

80

82

76

Deficit.

1.2

1.5

2.7

6.2

6.9

7.4

7.7

5.3

2.9

1.9

1.3

4.2

Air humidity.

All directions of wind blow in the region, but the prevailing are east and west directional
winds. It is due to the direction of the river Inguri. The following table shows the wind
directions and the number of stills according to the multi-year observations of the same
meteorological station.

17

KHELRA HPP
ON THE RIVER KHELRA
PRE-FEASIIBILITY STUDY
OF THE KHELRA HPP

AQUAHYDRO LTD

meteorological
station

NN

NNN.E

S.E

S.W

NN.WN

Still

Khaishi

11

54

23

52

Wind directions and annual number of stills in %.

Average annual wind speed is 2.3 m / sec. during the warm period of year the average
monthly speed is maximum, whereas the minimum speed is fixed in winter. The following
table shows the average monthly and annual rates of wind:

Monthly and annual average wind speed in m / s

The following table shows the different repetition maximum speeds according to the multiyear observations of the same meteorological station.
Meteorological
station

Maximum wind speed (m / s) available one-time

1 Year

5 Years

10 Years

15 Years

20 Years

Khaishi

14

16

17

18

19

The maximum wind speeds in m/s.

6. ENERGY CALCULATIONS AND HYDRAULICS

The energy report is based on the average monthly data. During the energy report sanitary
water dam out, losses in the hydrotechnical scheme, effectiveness of aggregates and number
of

working

aggregates,

efficiency

of

generator

and

other

parts

are

18

foreseen.

Hydroelectric energy calculation of the Khelra HPP based on the multiannual average monthly expenses is listed in the
following table:

Monthly capacities of the Khelra HPP.

Monthly output of the Khelra HPP.

KHELRA HPP
ON THE RIVER KHELRA
PRE-FEASIIBILITY STUDY
OF THE KHELRA HPP

AQUAHYDRO LTD

7. INFRASTRUCTURE

Construction district is 60 km far from Mestia. From Zugdidi-80 km, while from Tbilisi - 430
km. Within the project area of the HPP, approximately 3000 m road rehabilitation works
should be implemented, see the map.

21

KHELRA HPP
ON THE RIVER KHELRA
PRE-FEASIIBILITY STUDY
OF THE KHELRA HPP

AQUAHYDRO LTD

22

KHELRA HPP
ON THE RIVER KHELRA
PRE-FEASIIBILITY STUDY
OF THE KHELRA HPP

AQUAHYDRO LTD

The road in the gorge of river Khelra.

8. GRID CONNECTION

Khelra HPP will connect with 35 kV belt with the existed 35 kV voltage line KhudoniMestia transmission line, 900 m length new 35 kV transmission line will be built.

23

KHELRA HPP
ON THE RIVER KHELRA
PRE-FEASIIBILITY STUDY
OF THE KHELRA HPP

AQUAHYDRO LTD

24

KHELRA HPP
ON THE RIVER KHELRA
PRE-FEASIIBILITY STUDY
OF THE KHELRA HPP

AQUAHYDRO LTD

9. ESTIMATED CALCULATION
Estimated calculations of the project is given in the below table:

Thus, total investment of the project amounts to 4.3 million US dollars.

10. ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL ANALYSIS

As a result of the project estimation, the amount of investment costs is 4.3 million US dollars,
which consists 1.36 million dollars per MW.
The HPP generates 14.1 GWh electricity, with the consideration of the sales price of the
electricity - 53 USD / MWh, the price of the sold electricity amounts to 0.68 million US
dollars per year.
During the financial analysis the following assumptions were provided:

The total capital expenditure - 4.3 million US dollars;

The duration of the construction work - 2 years;

loans and capital proportion - 60% / 40%;

The payable interest rate on the loan - 10%;

Price of electricity - 5.3 USD / MW / h.

With regard to the above mantioned assumptions and evaluation of the preliminary financial results
are as follows:

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KHELRA HPP
ON THE RIVER KHELRA
PRE-FEASIIBILITY STUDY
OF THE KHELRA HPP

Financial Results
The net present value, USD
Project internal rate of return ratio, %
The profitability index (the net profit/ total value of the project)
Payback period in years

AQUAHYDRO LTD

300000 US Dollars
13.2 %
1,1
9

Break-even Chart of the project is presented below:

Consequently, due to the profitability of the project, its implementation is recommended.

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