IN CASE OF NECESSITY ARMENIA CAN ALREADY RECEIVE IRANIAN GAS, ARMENIAN MINISTER OF ENERGY SAYS
Noyan Tapan
Dec 24 2007
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 24, NOYAN TAPAN. In case of necessity Armenia
can already receive 400 million cibic meters of gas a year from Iran
through the Megri-Kajaran section of the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline. The
RA minister of energy Armen Movsisian stated at the December 24 press
conference that the Megri-Kajaran section of the gas pipiline is
owned by High-Voltage Electric Networks company, and the ministry
is prepared to discuss its sale with potential buyers. According
to him, the earthworks on 180 km of the new 200-km Kajaran-Yeraskh
gas pipeline have already been completed. The gas pipeline will be
ready in late 2008. The minister said that Gazprom company has made
investments in the construction of the gas pipeline so an agreement
has been reached with the Armenian government to increase Gazprom’s
share in ArmRusgazprom.
A. Movsisian informed those present that the Japanese government
has already agreed to allocate additional 80 million dollars for
construction of a steam-and-gas unit at the Yerevan Thermal Power
Plant. The minister also announced that an Italian company is going
to build a wind power station with the total capacity of 90 megawatts
in Armenia.
According to A. Movsisian, 58 small hydropower plants currently
operate in the country, the same number of hydropower plants is being
constructed, thanks to which the electricity to be generated by small
hydropower plants will ensure 10% of the country’s total electricity
demand in 2-3 years.
The minister said the studies on construction of an oil refinery in
Armenia, which are conducted by Russian, Armenian and Iranian experts,
will finish in February 2008. The geological survey work in Kyarkyar
volcanic plain (Syunik marz) will continue next year. Preliminary
exploration showed that there is great potential of geothermal energy
in this area.
It was announced that the exploration of uranium mines will start in
2008 and the country’s uranium resources will be determined within
the next 2-5 years.