Tuesday, April 18 2017 16:05

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.