Armenian government postpones the date for construction of Meghri hydro
power plant
YEREVAN, August 21, /ARKA/. Citing the political situation in Iran the
Armenian government has decided at its regular session today to
postpone the date for construction of a hydro power plant near the town
of Meghri, on the River of Arax, separating Armenia from Iran.
Armenia and Iran had agreed to build two power plants on the Arax River
which are supposed to become the most powerful hydro power plants in
the South Caucasus. On the Armenian side the plant will be near the
town of Meghri and on the Iranian side near the town of Karachilar.
Each will have the capacity to produce 800 million KWh of power
annually.
Armenian Energy Minister Armen Movsisyan said today the decision was
forced because the administration of Iranian president Mahmoud
Ahmadinejad, following the latest presidential election, has not yet
formed a new government.
The minister said the deadline for selecting an investment company,
signing a relevant contract with it, as well as allocation of a land
plot for the future plant, that were originally scheduled for the third
quarter of 2009, will be extended into the fourth quarter. The license
will be granted to the power plant in 2010.
Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan suggested that a protocol be passed in
addition to the decision to ensure the financial stability of the power
grid sector.
0We need to pass the protocol to not allow rise of electricity price
for end consumers and besides, it is necessary to cover financial gaps
in the sector at the expense of government-run power plants in Vorotan,
Yerevan and the nuclear power plant,’ he said.-0-