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"YOU HAVE AN ATOMIC POWER STATION BUT SCARCER NATURAL RESOURCES THAN YOU NEIGHBORS"
Mаry Mamyan
http://hetq.am/eng/news/30956/%E2%80%9Cyou-have-an-atomic-power-station-but-scarcer-natural-resources-than-you-neighbors.html
16:45, November 25, 2013
Today, the European Union is implementing a number of projects designed
to raise the level of energy saving. How do you view the energy issue,
especially here in Armenia?
The situation in the three countries in the Southern Caucasus differs.
Georgia can export electricity and Azerbaijan, as we all know,
is rich in gas and oil. Baku is developing its natural resources
for transfer from the Caspian Sea to Europe. Armenia has the least
developed electricity resources. You have an atomic power station, but
you don't have comparable natural resources as your neighbors. Thus,
Armenia must become more energy efficient.
I believe that there is great potential for this in all three
countries, so I don't place much difference between them in this
respect. All three, starting from their local government bodies,
can begin to start developing energy savings projects, and we are
doing this within the scope of the EU.
Specifically what must Armenia do in terms of energy savings?
I must confess that I haven't looked at the situation in Armenia. But,
I'd say that what has proved successful for other countries can also
work here. In most countries, the first thing is that the authorities
are focused on what we call the security of supply. In other words,
how do we create a sufficient supply of energy, and how so we supply
it to our citizens and businesses?
Here, there is another issue. Oftentimes, you must make investments
in order to ensure energy savings. The results only appear three or
four years down the line. Thus, the investments must be made now for
results later on.
But we have a good example in Moldova, even though it isn't a South
Caucasus country. In Kishinev, they improved public buses. Now they
have a fleet of low energy consuming vehicles financed with assistance
by the ERBD. To cut down on energy consumption, attention must be
paid to public transportation, street lights, etc.
Does Armenia have the potential to develop the usage of its water
resources as an energy savings tool?
Of course. Using water resources to create energy is a traditional
method. This is true especially for the countries that are mainly
agricultural, like Armenia. Thus, I believe that the periodic rise
in the index of water resource power can also assist savings over
the long run. I see that potential.
The only problem with water is that the resources are often shared
amongst neighbors. This is true for certain neighbors of yours. Rivers
flow across the borders of several countries. You must come to an
agreement with your neighbors on the issue of water usage. Otherwise,
it can lead to conflict. The main issue is to first conduct serious
research to see which water usage method is the most effective.
(Hetq met with Michael A. Köhler at the "Energy Cities"- (European
Association of local authorities in energy transition) forum held in
Istanbul on November 14-15.)
Mаry Mamyan
http://hetq.am/eng/news/30956/%E2%80%9Cyou-have-an-atomic-power-station-but-scarcer-natural-resources-than-you-neighbors.html
16:45, November 25, 2013
Today, the European Union is implementing a number of projects designed
to raise the level of energy saving. How do you view the energy issue,
especially here in Armenia?
The situation in the three countries in the Southern Caucasus differs.
Georgia can export electricity and Azerbaijan, as we all know,
is rich in gas and oil. Baku is developing its natural resources
for transfer from the Caspian Sea to Europe. Armenia has the least
developed electricity resources. You have an atomic power station, but
you don't have comparable natural resources as your neighbors. Thus,
Armenia must become more energy efficient.
I believe that there is great potential for this in all three
countries, so I don't place much difference between them in this
respect. All three, starting from their local government bodies,
can begin to start developing energy savings projects, and we are
doing this within the scope of the EU.
Specifically what must Armenia do in terms of energy savings?
I must confess that I haven't looked at the situation in Armenia. But,
I'd say that what has proved successful for other countries can also
work here. In most countries, the first thing is that the authorities
are focused on what we call the security of supply. In other words,
how do we create a sufficient supply of energy, and how so we supply
it to our citizens and businesses?
Here, there is another issue. Oftentimes, you must make investments
in order to ensure energy savings. The results only appear three or
four years down the line. Thus, the investments must be made now for
results later on.
But we have a good example in Moldova, even though it isn't a South
Caucasus country. In Kishinev, they improved public buses. Now they
have a fleet of low energy consuming vehicles financed with assistance
by the ERBD. To cut down on energy consumption, attention must be
paid to public transportation, street lights, etc.
Does Armenia have the potential to develop the usage of its water
resources as an energy savings tool?
Of course. Using water resources to create energy is a traditional
method. This is true especially for the countries that are mainly
agricultural, like Armenia. Thus, I believe that the periodic rise
in the index of water resource power can also assist savings over
the long run. I see that potential.
The only problem with water is that the resources are often shared
amongst neighbors. This is true for certain neighbors of yours. Rivers
flow across the borders of several countries. You must come to an
agreement with your neighbors on the issue of water usage. Otherwise,
it can lead to conflict. The main issue is to first conduct serious
research to see which water usage method is the most effective.
(Hetq met with Michael A. Köhler at the "Energy Cities"- (European
Association of local authorities in energy transition) forum held in
Istanbul on November 14-15.)