PASSIONS HAVE COOLED DOWN

A1+
[08:33 pm] 24 May, 2006

Today 20 deputies in the Parliament discussed most important drafts,
in particular the one about introducing changes into the Law on
Energy. The oppositional deputies were mainly interested in the draft,
with the exception of the Orinats Yerkir Party and the National Unity.

Deputy Minister of Energy Areg Galstyan introduced the draft about
introducing changes into the Law on Energy. He mentioned that the
energy produced by small hydro electric power stations is subject
to purchase according to the market rules. According to him, clear
stipulation of several provisions of the draft until 2016 creates
unequal conditions for those stations which are constructed later,
hindering the development of small power stations.

In order to overcome this obstacle it was offered to establish 15
years as guaranteed date of purchase of energy produced by small
power stations, since the day of getting license.

Answering the questions of the deputies, Areg Galstyan mentioned
that the German company “KFM” has not yet allotted loans for the
construction of new stations.

He added that the Central Bank council holds discussions in this
connection.

Deputy of the Justice faction Grigor Haroutyunyan thinks that the state
ought to buy the energy produced by small power stations. According
to him, getting high interest banks make the situation for consumers
really hard, and the state must enhance control in this field.

Arshak Sadoyan announced that 45 years later the level of power
development of the country will be the same as in 1988. “Are you
pleased with that development?”, Naturally, Areg Galstyan tried to
avoid answering political questions.

According to deputy Hakob Hakobyan from Sevan, the draft makes the
conditions equal for the producers.

According to him, in case of quick exploitation of the Yerevan heat
power plant and the 5th bloc of the Hrazdan heat power plant Armenia
will be the first country in the region with the volumes of energy
production.

According to deputy of the “Justice” faction Tatoul Manaseryan, the
alternative and regenerative power resources cannot be imported,
so they are means of providing energy security. According to the
deputy, the energy of the sun and the wind must be used for raising
the ability to compete with the neighbors in this field.