ACCORDING TO DIRECTOR GENERAL OF ARMRUSGAZPROM, RISE IN GAS TARIFFS IN ARMENIA FROM APRIL 1st NOT TO BE BURDENSOME FOR ECONOMY AND POPULATION
Noyan Tapan
Se p 23, 2008
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 23, NOYAN TAPAN. The rise in the gas tariffs in
Armenia starting from April 1st of next year will not be burdensome
for the economy and residents – gas users, the director general of
the board of ArmRusgazprom CJSC Karen Karapetian gave his assurances
during the September 23 briefing with reporters. He refrained from
announcing the tariffs, noting that these tariffs will be determined
by the RA Public Services Regulatory Commission. ArmRusgazrom will soon
submit a bid to the commission which will determine the tariff sizes.
K. Karapetian underlined the importance of signing the 2009-2015
agreement on natural gas supply of the Republic of Armenia, which
is based in particular on the fact that Gazprom is not only a gas
supplying and selling company but also "one of our shareholders and it
is interested in developing the gas market and the economy." The head
of ArmRusgazprom also attached importance to the provision, by which
the gradual change of gas prices shall be in line with the rates in
Russia, in the domestic markets. He also expressed a positive opinion
about the use of the new tariff from April 1st, 2009, which will enable
to spend the winter and to adapt to new prices in milder conditions.
During a consultation with the participation of Armenian President
Serzh Sargsyan, Karen Karapetian pointed out, among the achievements
of the company, the growth of the gas supply network installation –
from 21% to 91%, the growth in imports and sales of natural gas in
Armenia – more than 2.4fold, including the volumes by filling stations
– 10fold, by the population – 6.4fold and by industry – 2.3fold. He
announced that the number of actual users increased 5.1fold, the gas
distribution network was expanded 2.1fold, and the volume of stored
natural gas grew 2fold. "The natural gas used as engine fuel in the
transport sector substitutes for about 300-330 thousand tons of oil
product, thanks to which the annual savings make 380-400 million
dollars, according to our calculations," K. Karapetian said.
As regards the financial economic indices, he attached special
importance to 2,5fold growth in the average salary of the company’s
employees: ArmRusgazprom has become a profitable enterprise from an
unprofitable one, with its profit reaching nearly 12 billion drams.
Among the tasks of their company, K. Karapetian indicated the signing
of an agreement on natural gas supply of Armenia through 2015:
ensuring a not sharp growth of the gas price, as well as improving
the safety level of the gas supply of users.
According to K. Karapetian, the investments of the company will amount
to 720-750 million dollars in 2008-2010, including the implementation
of gas energy programs. Among the biggest investment programs he
indicated the purchase, construction and modernization of the 5th
power unit of Hrazdan Thermal Power Plant which cost about 430
million dollars.