ArmInfo. "I consider the decision of the Armenian government to refuse from trust management of the company" High-voltage electricity network "the right step," - said in an interview with the correspondent. ArmInfo former General Director of "Armenergo" Felix Hakobjanyan.
According to him, the one who controls the balance of the input-output of electricity, controls losses, accounting for electricity, and, ultimately, the country's energy security. It's another matter, the expert continued, that now it is necessary to think about combining high-voltage networks with the electric power system operator and the settlement center, as it was in the case of Armenergo. "The government of Armenia then motivated the division of the company by the necessity of limiting natural monopolies, but, as we see, these monopolies have not become smaller," Felix Hakobjanian stressed. In his opinion, a return to the idea of recreating "Armenergo" will allow to optimize expenses, reduce the tariff and improve the quality of service.
Today, a source close to the company "Tashir Capital" in response to a question ArmInfo said that the company intends to fulfill all its investment programs both for the "Electric Grids" and the creation of enterprises for the production of equipment for energy companies that are members of the Tashir Group of Companies .
The day before the Minister of Energy Infrastructures and Natural Resources of the Republic of Armenia Artur Grigoryan told journalists that the contract with "Tashir Capital" regarding the trust management of companies "High Voltage Electric Networks" was terminated. According to him, the agreement contained provisions that the state did not like.
In this connection, the company "Tashir Capital" made a statement on the eve, in which it informed about its refusal to manage the company "High-voltage electrical networks". The statement says: In 2017, at the suggestion of the Armenian government, negotiations began between the RA government and Tashir Capital CJSC in order to transfer the management of the company "High Voltage Electric Networks" to Tashir Capital. "In order to reduce inflated costs, Tashir Capital suggested 6 months to carry out research and provide relevant consulting support to the management of the wind farm, in particular, it was proposed to reduce current costs from $ 7 million to $ 3 million. In addition, it was proposed to take under strict control the manageability of the state a $ 520 million in-kind debt, which was used as loans for the implementation of programs in the WEC system.The principal position of Tashir Capital was to implement a more literate from the technical point of view of the management of the construction of a new high- voltage Armenia-Georgia transmission line worth $ 200 million Last calculations, this amount could reach $ 240 million), thereby reducing its total cost to $ 70 million. As a result, the government would save about $ 130 million. The purpose of the transition to trust management was to Improving management efficiency, optimizing the flow of costs by combining the capabilities of distribution networks and transmission networks. For the government, the most advantageous point was that in the event of the transfer of the "WEC" to the "Tashir Capital" administration, the government would no longer bear the financial burden. The programs would be implemented with the help of funds raised by Tashir Capital, which would be attracted without state guarantees and, therefore, would not be liable to the state as a state debt. As a result of the consulting work carried out by "Tashir Capital" within 6 months, the interest rate on the credit program for the construction of the Iran-Armenia overhead line decreased, and about $ 6 million saved in the electricity tariff was saved. "Tashir Capital" company expressed bewilderment about the statement of the RA Minister of Energy and Natural Resources that some provisions of the agreement concluded between the RA government and "Tashir capital" are unprofitable to the government.
To recall, on April 12 this year, the Armenian government approved a trust management program for High Voltage Electricity CJSC. The draft resolution on the transfer of JSC VVES to the trust management of CJSC Tashir Capital was approved by the Government on August 24, 2017. As stated in the justification document, the program is aimed at increasing the efficiency and transparency of JSC VES management, investing in capacity expansion, ensuring the company's financial stability in the long term, improving the accounting system and productive management of human resources. "As a result of the program, a safe and reliable transmission system will be provided," the document says.
Earlier, ArmInfo informed that CJSC "High Voltage Electric Networks" (CJSC VVES) will be transferred to trust management of CJSC "Tashir Capital". The agreement provides for the transfer of 100% of the shares of VEZ CJSC belonging to the state to the trust management of Tashir Capital (649,231 shares, each with a par value of 13,600 AMD). The company received the right of trust management for a period of 5 years with the possibility of subsequent extension of the contract for the same term and on the same terms.