IT’S PREFERABLE THAT THE STATE CONTROL ENERGY SECTOR, BUT NATIONAL
INTEREST IS PRIMARY, VICE CHAIRMAN OF ORINATS ERKIR SAYS

YEREVAN, APRIL 7, NOYAN TAPAN. The sale of the 5 unit of Hrazdan
Thermal Power Plant to the Russian side with the aim of mitigating the
effect of the gas tariff increase proceeds from the national interests
of Armenia. Mher Shahgeldian, Chairman of the RA National Assembly
Standing Committee on Defence, Internal Affairs and National Security,
Vice Chairman of the Orinats Erkir Party, made this statement during a
talk with reporters on April 7. In his words, it is preferable that
the state control the energy sector. “But it’s a matter of the
nation’s interests, and our national interests are primary for us,” he
noted. According to him, diversification of electricity sources is
necessary in order to ensure the energy independence, which is the
most important component of the country’s energy security. In this
connection the parliamentary standing committee chairman attached
importance to the construction of the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline and
ensuring the Iranian gas supply. M. Shahgeldian considered it
important that the rise in the gas price will not affect a large
section of the population, since it may cause social discontent. He
said that the application of compensation mechanisms against the gas
price increase is important in terms of business development as
well. According to the speaker, the investments to be made by the
Russian side in the 5th power unit will solve the problems related not
only to the generation of extra electricity but also its sale. Asked
by NT correspondent if there are any guarantees that the Hrazdan TPP
5th unit will be put into operation, taking into account the current
idleness of the enterprises which were transferred to the Russian side
5 years ago under the Debt for Equity Program, M. Shageldian said: “As
the legislative power, we raised this issue, are raising and will
continue to raise it.” According to him, the Armenian deputies
repeatedly told their Russian colleagues that these enterprises must
operate, since there are certain expectations connected to them. “In
this case we will try to do everything so that investments will be
made,” M. Shahgeldian assured.