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SOLAR POWER NOT TOO DEAR FOR FAR-SIGHTED INVESTORS - OPINION
10:19 * 02.07.14
Investments in solar energy projects are not absolutely too dear
against the backdrop of the surge in natural gas and electricity
prices, says the chief of an Armenian company engaged in the production
of alternative power.
Artin Melikyan, who heads the closed joint-stock company Solar,
says he believes investments in alternative energy production will
fully meet all expectations in about six or seven years' time. "What
now seems dear is very relative, so I don't think it is an expensive
pleasure for a far-sighted client. Expensiveness is very relative
given the surge in the natural gas and electric power [prices], and
all the risks stemming from our status as an energy importer. And the
considerable increase in orders by both individuals and businessmen
testify to what I say," he noted.
Melikyan said he doesn't expect any state support to such an
initiative. "I don't think there will be any state assistance, because
don't believe the government bodies in Armenia will have that will,
being under the pressures of the gas-supplier and manufacturer. I
think it is an open secret to all that they import gas from Russia
and distribute electric power through networks," he said, stressing
the importance of investments that would help lower the costs of
alternative energy supplies.
Melikyan even brought the example of Iran which abolished the import
taxes for alternative energy supplies. "The solar batteries, which
Armenia imported at a zero tax rate until three years ago had later
to be imported with a 20 percent of value added tax as a result of
energy reforms adopted. So the price increased by 20 percent. The
only thing the state can do is to lower the import taxes. Secondly,
it can grant income tax privileges to such companies. That's to say,
it can lower or abolish the taxes," he noted.
Armenian News - Tert.am
From: A. Papazian
10:19 * 02.07.14
Investments in solar energy projects are not absolutely too dear
against the backdrop of the surge in natural gas and electricity
prices, says the chief of an Armenian company engaged in the production
of alternative power.
Artin Melikyan, who heads the closed joint-stock company Solar,
says he believes investments in alternative energy production will
fully meet all expectations in about six or seven years' time. "What
now seems dear is very relative, so I don't think it is an expensive
pleasure for a far-sighted client. Expensiveness is very relative
given the surge in the natural gas and electric power [prices], and
all the risks stemming from our status as an energy importer. And the
considerable increase in orders by both individuals and businessmen
testify to what I say," he noted.
Melikyan said he doesn't expect any state support to such an
initiative. "I don't think there will be any state assistance, because
don't believe the government bodies in Armenia will have that will,
being under the pressures of the gas-supplier and manufacturer. I
think it is an open secret to all that they import gas from Russia
and distribute electric power through networks," he said, stressing
the importance of investments that would help lower the costs of
alternative energy supplies.
Melikyan even brought the example of Iran which abolished the import
taxes for alternative energy supplies. "The solar batteries, which
Armenia imported at a zero tax rate until three years ago had later
to be imported with a 20 percent of value added tax as a result of
energy reforms adopted. So the price increased by 20 percent. The
only thing the state can do is to lower the import taxes. Secondly,
it can grant income tax privileges to such companies. That's to say,
it can lower or abolish the taxes," he noted.
Armenian News - Tert.am
From: A. Papazian