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Armenia transferred important energy objects to Russia. Who will receive compensation?
Regnum, Russia
March 31 2006
Yerevan Haykakan Jamanak newspaper states, citing proved sources,
Russia and Armenia signed an agreement on transfer to Russian side of
5th power-generating unit of Hrazdan thermoelectric power plant and
Iran-Armenia gas pipeline. According to the newspaper, the power unit
of Hrazdan TPS will be transferred for $250 million; it enables to buy
Russian gas for decreased price during next 2.5 years. The newspaper
publishes no data concerning mechanisms and price of transfer to
Russia Iran-Armenia gas pipeline. At the same time, according to it,
Russian side may become owner of the pipeline. "Iran might block the
deal, but Iranian side will not do it, if Moscow does not hamper in
its nuclear program," supposes the Armenian newspaper.
It writes, on the eve, a big feast took place at the Armenian Energy
Ministry, at which Gazprom top-level representatives were present.
Meanwhile, a REGNUM correspondent tried to receive comments of
Armenian Energy Minister's Secretary, but in vain. It was stated at
the ministry, they might comment on the situation in the afternoon,
i.e. the energy institution needed, at the moment, 3h to decide the
complicated question, on which, talks have been conducted more then
one year.
It should be reminded; Russia has been supplying gas to Armenia
for $65 per 1000 m³ till present. But tomorrow, on April 1, delay,
granted to Armenian side by Gazprom, will finish, and form the day
gas price for Armenia will total, according to preliminary agreement,
$110 per 1000 m³. Earlier, top-level Armenian officials assured,
new gas price, raised by Russia, will not influence social level
of country's citizens. However, for period, when parties continued
talks on future gas price, and possible compensation mechanisms,
ArmRosGazprom Company - exclusive gas supplier to Armenia - requested
Armenian Commission on Regulation Public Services to raise gas tariffs
for domestic consumer. From April 10, the tariff will total 90 drams
($0.20) per 1 m³ for population, consuming up to 10,000 m³ per month;
for enterprises (mainly of energy sphere), consuming over 10,000 m³,
the tariff for 1000 m³ will total $146.51. The tariffs for population
will increase by 52.5%, for enterprises - by 85.2%.
Hrazdan TPS addressed to the regulating body too, suggesting
recalculation of tariff for produced energy, in connection with
gas price increase. The TPS requested to fix price of 21.36 drams
($0.47) for 1 kwh, instead of former 11.37 drams, in connection with
gas tariffs' increase. The new Hrazdan TPS's tariff increases by 90%,
comparing with current one. In its turn, Armenian Electric Systems JSC,
which is rented by RAO UES daughter enterprise for 99 years, stated,
if the Commission decides to raise tariffs for produced energy, it
will be possible, the AES JSC will request it to change tariffs for
domestic consumers.
In such situation, Armenian citizens have only to wait and hope. If
information on transfer of the 5th power unit of Hrazdan TPS to Russian
side corresponds with reality, the question arises: who is going to
receive compensation for Russian gas prices - Armenian government
or citizens?
--Boundary_(ID_ncqLrPGCH5l4a7/hkYJfBA)- -
Regnum, Russia
March 31 2006
Yerevan Haykakan Jamanak newspaper states, citing proved sources,
Russia and Armenia signed an agreement on transfer to Russian side of
5th power-generating unit of Hrazdan thermoelectric power plant and
Iran-Armenia gas pipeline. According to the newspaper, the power unit
of Hrazdan TPS will be transferred for $250 million; it enables to buy
Russian gas for decreased price during next 2.5 years. The newspaper
publishes no data concerning mechanisms and price of transfer to
Russia Iran-Armenia gas pipeline. At the same time, according to it,
Russian side may become owner of the pipeline. "Iran might block the
deal, but Iranian side will not do it, if Moscow does not hamper in
its nuclear program," supposes the Armenian newspaper.
It writes, on the eve, a big feast took place at the Armenian Energy
Ministry, at which Gazprom top-level representatives were present.
Meanwhile, a REGNUM correspondent tried to receive comments of
Armenian Energy Minister's Secretary, but in vain. It was stated at
the ministry, they might comment on the situation in the afternoon,
i.e. the energy institution needed, at the moment, 3h to decide the
complicated question, on which, talks have been conducted more then
one year.
It should be reminded; Russia has been supplying gas to Armenia
for $65 per 1000 m³ till present. But tomorrow, on April 1, delay,
granted to Armenian side by Gazprom, will finish, and form the day
gas price for Armenia will total, according to preliminary agreement,
$110 per 1000 m³. Earlier, top-level Armenian officials assured,
new gas price, raised by Russia, will not influence social level
of country's citizens. However, for period, when parties continued
talks on future gas price, and possible compensation mechanisms,
ArmRosGazprom Company - exclusive gas supplier to Armenia - requested
Armenian Commission on Regulation Public Services to raise gas tariffs
for domestic consumer. From April 10, the tariff will total 90 drams
($0.20) per 1 m³ for population, consuming up to 10,000 m³ per month;
for enterprises (mainly of energy sphere), consuming over 10,000 m³,
the tariff for 1000 m³ will total $146.51. The tariffs for population
will increase by 52.5%, for enterprises - by 85.2%.
Hrazdan TPS addressed to the regulating body too, suggesting
recalculation of tariff for produced energy, in connection with
gas price increase. The TPS requested to fix price of 21.36 drams
($0.47) for 1 kwh, instead of former 11.37 drams, in connection with
gas tariffs' increase. The new Hrazdan TPS's tariff increases by 90%,
comparing with current one. In its turn, Armenian Electric Systems JSC,
which is rented by RAO UES daughter enterprise for 99 years, stated,
if the Commission decides to raise tariffs for produced energy, it
will be possible, the AES JSC will request it to change tariffs for
domestic consumers.
In such situation, Armenian citizens have only to wait and hope. If
information on transfer of the 5th power unit of Hrazdan TPS to Russian
side corresponds with reality, the question arises: who is going to
receive compensation for Russian gas prices - Armenian government
or citizens?
--Boundary_(ID_ncqLrPGCH5l4a7/hkYJfBA)- -