FIRST SOLAR POWER PLANTS IN ARMENIA TO BE BUILT IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS

11:20, 13 March, 2015

YEREVAN, MARCH 13, ARMENPRESS: The development of the solar energy
has been much talked about in Armenia, though up to now no large
investments have been made in the sector and the tariff for the
electric power has not been yet defined. It is not a secret that for
a country, having no gas and oil resources, the alternative energy
is very important and taking into account this problem, an attempt is
made to create the first solar energy stations. Armenpress talked to
the Deputy Minister of Energy and Natural Resources of the Republic
of Armenia Hayk Harutyunyan about the development prospects of the
alternative energy and the possibilities to establish solar energy
stations.

– How affordable is the purchase of these technologies? Can we afford
having solar power stations now?

– In comparison with 2010, the price for the photovoltaic technologies
has reduced by 80%. It is mainly the result of the programs,
implemented by Germany, as it began using the solar technologies and
China spurred the development of industry. In the result there are
many quality photovoltaic technologies, which can compete with the
production of the traditional energy stations.

We have already attracted funds from the Climate Investment Funds
to develop the solar energy. These funds will be provided to the
future investors as affordable credits to reduce the tariff to be
set. There is also a grant part in the program, which will be used
to conduct detailed studies in the planned areas this year and to
prepare investment programs.

(THE FULL VERSION OF THE INTERVIEW IS AVAILABLE IN ARMENIAN) Interview
by Gohar Avetisyan