YEREVAN HEAT & POWER PLANT TO EXPORT 3.3BLN KWH OF ENERGY

/ARKA/
May 28, 2009
YEREVAN

The Yerevan heat and power plant will export 3.3bln kwh of electric
energy to Iran yearly against 1.1bln cubic meters of gas.

The RA Public Services Regulatory Commission issued a relevant license
to the Yerevan Heat & Power Plant CJSC.

Director of the Yerevan heat and power plant Hovhakim Hovhannisyan
the one to three ratio corresponding to the economic justification
indices the plant can ensure.

"This requires 370MMW capacities, while the Yerevan heat and power
plant has a designed capacity of 610MW. With the 50MW for domestic use,
the plant has 560MW left, with only 370MW required," Hovhannisyan said.

He pointed out that the equipment installed at the heat and power plant
has been operating for about 30 years. The equipment and technologies
are outdated.

Hovhannisyan said that the current efficiency of the Yerevan heat
and power plant is 30%, and the new combined-cycle plant will raise it.

"Immediately after receiving a license, we are ready to start supplying
electric energy to Iran, and we do not see any technical problems with
ensuring 3.3bln kwh a year if the Iranian side needs such amount,"
Hovhannisyan said.

He said that the Yerevan heat and power plant will cooperate with
the Vorotan hydro-electric system in supplying electric power to Iran.

Chairman of the Public Services20Regulatory Commission Robert Nazaryan
pointed out that the current gas imports-energy exports ratio is
economically unsound. After the new plant has been put into operation
the project will be much more efficient, which will make gas supply
to the population possible as well.

"The agreement enhances Armenia’s energy security and independence,"
Nazaryan said.