In order to implement the project for construction of Karkar geothermal power plant, a prequalification tender will be announced to select a potential investor

ArmInfo. In order to implement  the project for construction of Karkar geothermal power plant, a  prequalification tender will be announced to select a potential  investor, Hayk Badalyan, Head of the department of Armenian Ministry  of Energy Infrastructures and Natural Resources stated. 

According to him, the conditions of implementing the tender will  totally comply with the conditions under which a tender is conducted  to select an investor for the construction of Masrik solar power  plant. First, a prequalification tender will be announced, after  which several participants will continue to participate in the  competition at the final stage. Hayk Badalyan stressed that with the  assistance of the World Bank two wells were drilled in the Karkar  area, which showed sufficient volumes of hot water for their  industrial operation.  One well showed 122.4 degrees Celsius. The  second was drilled to a depth of 1,700 meters. After approval by the  Government of the country within a year of the investment program,  selection of potential investors will begin. Now there is a process  of approving the potential of Karkar area. It is planned that the  installed capacity of the geothermal power plant will be 30 MW. It  will work in the basic regime. The plant will be able to produce  annually 220-250 million kWh of electricity, which will be equal to  2.4% of consumption volumes.

Earlier, Deputy Minister Energy Infrastructures and natural resources  of Armenia Hayk Harutyunyan informed that the investments to the  geothermal energy plant Karkar will amount over $100mln. According to  him, geothermal resource is enough for its construction. In parallel  with the locality of Karkar, there are other prospective areas in  Armenia, such as Gridzor, Jermaghbyur and others.