ArmInfo. Director General of the Electric Networks of Armenia (ENA) CJSC Karen Harutyunyan thinks that the new tariff on electricity for consumers has been calculated correctly. "Right mechanisms have been chosen for calculation and I do not see any problems", he told journalists on June 24 after the session of the Armenia's Public Services Regulatory Commission, which approved the new tariff on electricity.
The Head of ENA does not agree with the opinion that the country's society has paid for the company's debt and will now pay for the used electricity by unreasonably high tariffs. "I do not agree with such a point of view and I as an economist consider the tariffs correct", he said.
Harutyunyan clarified that two components were excluded from the last year's tariff. First and foremost, component of covering the company's debt was excluded. The company's income, which exceeded the anticipated level by 2.8 bln AMD, was also considered. According to the Director of ENA the company makes its way to financial stability without excess profits and excessive losses.
Answering to ArmInfo's question on the upcoming programs Harutyunyan stressed the importance of implementation of the company's investment program. "Due to investment program the company will be able to implement the initiatives leading to a real change of the situation in favor of the society", he noted. He clarified that the matter concerns introduction of the atomized system and reconstruction of the existing equipment and the network in overall.
The head of the ENA informed that in the nearest future the company will settle the issues with the consumers who had certain problems with the meters. All the meters will be checked, and Harutyunyan promised that a relevant compensation will be provided to those consumers who suffered from the improper meters, if the fact is confirmed.
As for the losses in electricity networks Harutyunyan mentioned that the regulator has reduced the threshold for the ENA from 11.3% to 11.02%."There will be no excess losses in the ENA from now on", he assured. Harutyunyan informed that the company will aim for 9% losses. Answering to the question whether the ENA has any fears that the protests may restart as the tariffs however are still higher the ones that were in force till the last year's increase, Harutyunyan noted that the company takes all the necessary measures to ensure stability.
According to the watchdog's decision adopted today on June 24, both the day and night prices will be reduced by 2.58 drams to 46.20drams (from 48.78drams) and 36.20drams (from 38.78drams) respectively.