ArmInfo. The total cost of the 55-megawatt "Masrik" solar power station construction project in Gegharkounik region of Armenia will be $ 50 million, the deputy minister of energy infrastructures and natural resources of Armenia Hayk Harutyunyan told journalists on May 17 at the fields of the Armenian-American forum, which opened in Yerevan.
According to him, from April 28 started the prequalification stage of the contest in Armenia. 7 companies purchased the investment program, which indicates a growing interest in the project. Investors will be given 6 months to submit applications for participation in the final competition. It is expected that around 10 companies will participate in it. Moreover, the geography of tender participants will be very wide, practically from all over the world. "I hope that the number of participants will increase as a result of today's event," the Deputy Minister said, adding that as of today there are no American companies among the participants of the competition.
According to the investment program approved by the government of the country, it is planned to build solar stations in Armenia at 6 sites with a total installed capacity of up to 110 MW. At the first stage, a site near the "Masrik" community was chosen, where a solar station with a capacity of 55 MW will be built. The total cost of the program for the construction of solar power stations in Armenia is $ 129 million. Of the six surveyed areas in two, the Spanish consulting company Aries Engineering has already submitted feasibility studies. They refer to the sites of Masrik in Gegharkounik regiona and Dashtadem in Aragatsotn region, the surveys on other 4 sites are ongoing. On of the basic conditions of the contest will be the tariff offered to investors. The advantage will have the company which will offer the minimal tariff.
Climatic Investment Fund allocate to Armenia $28 million on alternate power development, $2 million is a grant, $26 million - loan. The terms of the loan are soft - 0.25% per annum with a maturity of 40 years and a grace period for payments in the first 20 years. On grant study of the sites, the development of a feasibility study for the project, calculated at a station of 100-120 MW capacity.