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Several organizations intend to invest in construction of solar power
plants in Armenia
by Arthur Yernjakyan
Tuesday, August 5, 20:10
5-6 organizations have an intention to invest in construction of
solar power plants in Armenia, Tamara Babayan, Director of the
Renewable Resources and Energy Efficiency Fund of Armenia, said at a
press conference on Tuesday.
She said that Armenia is currently exchanging information with these
companies. "The fact that 5-6 organizations are interested in
investing demonstrates their serious intentions", she said. Babayan
pointed out that these organizations want to get information about the
climate of the country, tax preferences, and legislation of Armenia
and they are looking for the most favorable regions to build the
plants. She added that the investors showed their interest as early as
2000, however, in 2000 their interest was not so specific as now.
When asked by ArmInfo's correspondent why no company has invested in
construction of solar power plants in Armenia so far, Babayan replied
that the reason was the high prime cost of the power generation and
the solar power tariff is not fixed. However, the solar power
technologies are improving and becoming more available. In addition,
negotiations should be conducted with every particular investor and
the regulator may fix a specific tariff for each business programme.
Babayan pointed out that today the conditions for construction of
solar power plants are even more favorable than those for small-scale
hydropower plants (HPPs). No permit is needed for construction of
plants with the capacity of up to 150 KW/h. The republic has 150
small-scale hydropower plants, which generate 11% of the total output
of electric power in the country. 10 years ago the small HPPs
generated only 0.5% of the total electric power output. She said that
the capacities of HPPs are limited by water resources. In the best
case, no more than 60-80 small HPPs can be built in Armenia, whereas
solar energy is inexhaustible. Solar power plants need big investments
at the first stage; however, at the second stage the prime cost of the
renewable energy is becoming cheaper. Moreover, solar energy will be
able to reduce the dependency on the imported energy resources. She
thinks that the Government of Armenia should support solar energy
development projects and stimulate them in every possible way.
To note, the Renewable Resources and Energy Efficiency Fund was
founded in 2005 by the Armenian Government.
http://www.arminfo.am/index.cfm?objectid=11B3B6D0-1CBB-11E4-BB620EB7C0D21663
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
plants in Armenia
by Arthur Yernjakyan
Tuesday, August 5, 20:10
5-6 organizations have an intention to invest in construction of
solar power plants in Armenia, Tamara Babayan, Director of the
Renewable Resources and Energy Efficiency Fund of Armenia, said at a
press conference on Tuesday.
She said that Armenia is currently exchanging information with these
companies. "The fact that 5-6 organizations are interested in
investing demonstrates their serious intentions", she said. Babayan
pointed out that these organizations want to get information about the
climate of the country, tax preferences, and legislation of Armenia
and they are looking for the most favorable regions to build the
plants. She added that the investors showed their interest as early as
2000, however, in 2000 their interest was not so specific as now.
When asked by ArmInfo's correspondent why no company has invested in
construction of solar power plants in Armenia so far, Babayan replied
that the reason was the high prime cost of the power generation and
the solar power tariff is not fixed. However, the solar power
technologies are improving and becoming more available. In addition,
negotiations should be conducted with every particular investor and
the regulator may fix a specific tariff for each business programme.
Babayan pointed out that today the conditions for construction of
solar power plants are even more favorable than those for small-scale
hydropower plants (HPPs). No permit is needed for construction of
plants with the capacity of up to 150 KW/h. The republic has 150
small-scale hydropower plants, which generate 11% of the total output
of electric power in the country. 10 years ago the small HPPs
generated only 0.5% of the total electric power output. She said that
the capacities of HPPs are limited by water resources. In the best
case, no more than 60-80 small HPPs can be built in Armenia, whereas
solar energy is inexhaustible. Solar power plants need big investments
at the first stage; however, at the second stage the prime cost of the
renewable energy is becoming cheaper. Moreover, solar energy will be
able to reduce the dependency on the imported energy resources. She
thinks that the Government of Armenia should support solar energy
development projects and stimulate them in every possible way.
To note, the Renewable Resources and Energy Efficiency Fund was
founded in 2005 by the Armenian Government.
http://www.arminfo.am/index.cfm?objectid=11B3B6D0-1CBB-11E4-BB620EB7C0D21663
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress