Monday, September 11 2023 13:02

ArmInfo. Armenia's status as an electricity exporter may decrease significantly, and the time is not far when,  having a nuclear power plant, rich hydropower resources and the potential of solar energy development, the country will simply turn into a net importer of electricity.

This opinion was expressed by Doctor of Political Sciences, expert on the development of transnational international infrastructure projects Vahe Davtyan, reacting to statements by  Minister of Energy of the Russian  Federation Nikolay  Shulginov.

Yesterday, in an interview with RIA Novosti, Shulginov said that  Moscow was holding negotiations with Tehran and Baku regarding the  possibility of exporting 300 MW of electricity using the existing  infrastructure through Azerbaijan to Armenia and further to Iran.   According to the minister, the Russian side is now simply considering  the possibility of supplying electricity through the territory of  Azerbaijan to Armenia, then to Iran, and then, possibly, to other  countries. Shulginov noted that at the first stage, Moscow agrees  with Tehran and Baku to use the existing energy infrastructure  without resorting to new construction. The minister emphasized that  all participants in the project have an interest in its  implementation.

According to the publication, in August the Ministry of Energy of the  Russian Federation reported that Russia, Iran and Azerbaijan agreed  to complete work on a feasibility study for unifying electric power  systems by the end of 2023. During the work, various conditions for  the transmission of electricity through the electrical networks of  the participating countries are analyzed in detail, and the  feasibility of constructing additional energy facilities is also  considered, the ministry explained.

Meanwhile, according to Davtyan, in fact, Moscow shows that the  Russia-Azerbaijan-Iran, energy corridor promoted by Azerbaijan in  recent years, is not the only project through which Russia is ready  to integrate into the energy systems of the region. And this,  perhaps, is not bad, considering the fact that one of Azerbaijan's  goals continues to be the blockade of Armenia's energy transport.

However, at the same time, the expert believes that if the  Russia-Azerbaijan-Armenia-Iran electricity route comes to life, then  the project of the North-South electricity corridor, which is planned  to ensure mutual flows between Iran, Armenia, Georgia and Russia,  will be under  big question. "By delaying the construction of the  third Iran-Armenia overhead power transmission line as much as  possible, the current leaders of Armenia actually created the  prerequisites for the recognition of the Azerbaijani factor in the  energy system of the region. Although it was Armenia, that being a  country with an excess of electricity, was considered as a key player  in the "North-South" framework. Even if the construction of the third  Iran- Armenia air line is completed, it turns out that it will be  used to export Russian electricity coming from Azerbaijan>, the  expert emphasizes.

Meanwhile, according to him, the supply of electricity to Iran  through the logistics offered by Moscow means that Armenia will be  increasingly squeezed out of the Iranian market. , he stressed.

According to the analyst, there are two ways to deliver Russian  electricity to Iran through the territory of Azerbaijan and Armenia:  swap contracts that do not involve direct deliveries, and the  establishment of Azerbaijan-Armenia telecommunications through the  territory of Artsakh.

If we consider the issue in the logic of Shulginov's statement  (), then we can talk about  power lines passing through Berdzor (Lachin), as well as Sotk-Aterk.  Both are currently unavailable. In this regard, it should be noted  that in the spring of 2022, Baku began laying a power line near the  Berdzor corridor, near the village of Aghavno. "In any case, the  implementation of such a scenario ultimately reduces the status of  Armenia as an electricity exporting country.  With such steps, the  day is not far when, having a nuclear power plant, rich hydropower  resources and the potential of solar energy development, we will  simply turn into a net importer of electricity>, Davtyan.  noted.