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.