YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)–Hydroelectric power plants generated a total of 1537.799 million kw/h of electricity in 1998–which is 10 percent more than in 1997 (1389.256 million kw/h)–Ministry of Energy spokeswoman Zhasmina Ghevondian told Noyan Tapan. She denied reports claiming a connection between the increase in electricity production and the drainage of water from Lake Sevan. The spokeswoman’said the Sevan-Hrazdan Cascade produced 61.557 kw/h less electricity in 1998 than the previous year.
Because of the damage and subsequent halt of two stations of the Vorotan Cascade in 1997–hydropower plants generated less electricity than projected that year. The demand that arose in the energy system was satisfied at the expense of thermal power plants and not by additional electricity generated by the Sevan-Hrazdan Cascade.
