ArmInfo. The United Arab Emirates-registered Access Infra Central Asia Limited Director, during a meeting with Kotayk region Head discussed the details of upcoming investment program on wind power energy station construction. The Company's representatives presented to the Kotayk region Head, the details and also the stages of implementation of necessary surveys aimed at implementation of the new program of wind farm.
Access Infra Central Asia Limited Company plans to implement unprecedented large-scale program on contruction of wind farm in Armenia. As the energy infrastructure and natural resources minister Ashot Manukyan said at a government meeting on March 30, within the investprogram, in communities of Tsakhkunk, Ddmashen, Zovaber of Gegharkunik region and Megradzor and Hrazdan communities of Kotayk region of Armenia, out of competition the company will lease out a land plot of 1250 hectares. The total capacity of the wind farm may reach up to 150 MW. The volume of investments will amount $150 million, according to Ministry of Energy. As for the tariff for these wind farms, as Ashot Manukyan reminded, (in the amount of 42.645 AMD per kWh without VAT, with VAT of 51.2 drams or 10.7 cents at the current exchange rate). "According to a preliminary assessment and based on discussions with the investor, it can be stated that the final tariff by at least 40% will be cheaper than the tariff set for now," he said.
As earlier ArmInfo reported, the Hayk Harutyunyan, the Deputy Minister for Energy and Natural Resources of Armenia stated that Up to 200 MW total capacity wind turbine generators sets are planned to be raised in Armenia within the year of 2020. The necessary investments will amount about $ 200-300 million. "We have investors from Russia, Iran, Italy, Spain, China and Georgia, and we have wind resources enough to satisfy them all," Harutyunyan said. Actually, as Harutyunyan clarifies, highland districts of Armenia, particularly Karakhach and Pushkin passes, Sotk, Sisian, Djadjour and Semyonovka areas do have a pretty rich wind potential. " Considering the climate conditions and the essential cost reduction per every kV of energy obtained as well as the terms and conditions offered by Armenian counterparty, the investments into this field seem to be economically efficient and profitable," Deputy Minister mentioned. According to Deputy Minister, in 2015 Polish investors expressed an interest in this aspect,and they proceed on with implementing different measurements in respect to wind resources in the highlands of Sisian. "Recently we held the negotiations with Iranian company of Mapna. We assume to offer our Iranian partners to raise wind generator plant with a capacity of 50 MW," the Deputy Minister mentioned, accentuating that there is an interest expressed also by representative of some other countries, who come to Armenia to make appropriate assessments and to discuss rental terms.
To remind, according to the official information of the Armenia's Energy Infrastructures and Natural Resources Mnistry, in 2003 the NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory) Company (USA) has designed the map of the wind power resources of Armenia, according to which the joint power of economically efficient WGP-s (Wind Generator Plant) is estimated at around 450 mWt ,with a productivity of 1.26 bln kW/h in an annual view. WGP-s construction with a total power of 20 mWt is planned at the area mentioned, with the most promising sites at Zodk pass, Bazum Mountains,, Karakhach, Pushkin and Djadjour passes, in Geghama highlands district, Meghri district etc. a Within the appropriate project of TACIS a technical reference for WGP construction in the Sevan lake area has been developed as well.
