ArmInfo. The policy of Armenian Government for 2017- 2022 in the energy sector will be aimed at increasing energy independence and security, ensuring regional integration and sustainable development, based on further development of nuclear energy and the full use of energy resources of the country, as well as the introduction of energy-efficient modern technologies, the Government's new program submitted to the parliament of the republic, reads.
According to the program's text, at this stage, the country's power system not only fully satisfies the demands of the domestic market, but also has an export potential. At the same time, within the framework of Government's efforts to liberalize the energy market and search for new regional markets, by the end of 2017 it is planned to develop a program for the liberalization of the electric power system and the development of interstate trade. In addition, by the end of 2020, it is planned to develop a new RA law "On Energy" taking into account the best world experience, and by the end of 2021 - to propose a new prospective program for the development of the electric power system of Armenia for the next 10 years.
In order to introduce the latest technologies, the program provides the formation of an appropriate legislative basis. In particular, it is proposed to amend a number of laws on energy, on licensing and state duty, and it is proposed by the end of 2017 to review the terms and measures for ensuring Armenia's energy security within the framework of the "Concept for Ensuring Armenia's Energy Security."
Thus, by the end of 2017, Armenian Government intends to implement measures to extend the operation of the second power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant on additional studies of systems, equipment and supplies of necessary equipment. During 2018-2019 years, it is planned to carry out the final stage of the modernization of the power unit, and by the end of 2019 to implement the extension program.
Within the framework of the construction program for Armenia-Iran and Armenia- Georgia power lines, the Government intends to commission the Iran-Armenia electricity transmission line and the substation by the end of 2019. On the Armenia-Georgia power line, the construction work will be completed by the end of 2019. According to ArmInfo, the construction of power lines will connect the electric power systems of Armenia and Georgia as an integral part of the energy corridor "North-South". The work will begin by the end of this year. In parallel, the construction of Iran-Armenia electricity transmission line continues. The total amount of investments in both projects will be about $ 420 million. As a result of the project implementation, interregional communication will be strengthened, mutual flows and electricity trade will increase. The creation of a corridor will enable Armenia to become an electric power hub by linking the electric power systems of Iran, Georgia and Russia.
According to the Government program, to implement solar energy development program, it is planned to sum up the tender for the implementation of the project for the construction of a solar photovoltaic station Masrik with a peak installed capacity of 55 MW before the end of 2018. According to ArmInfo, the total amount of investments in this generation facility will be $ 65-70 million. 50 companies participate in the contest. To implement the same general program for the development of solar energy, which provides for the creation up to 2020 of several stations with a total installed capacity of 110 MW, the government envisaged to attract $ 129 million.
In addition, as part of the promotion of plans for the construction of wind power plants in 2017- 2022, the Government of the country intends to support private programs by developing an appropriate legislative framework. As part of the development of geothermal energy, a project is planned to build a station in the Karkar area, and by the end of 2019 announcing a tender to attract investors. According to ArmInfo, now the process of approving the potential of the Karkar area is underway. It is planned that the installed capacity of the geothermal power plant will be 30 MW. It will work in the basic mode. The station will be able to produce annually 220-250 million kWh of electricity, which will be 2.4% of consumption volumes. The total amount of investment in the Karkar geothermal power plant will amount to about $ 100 million. In parallel with the Karkar area, Armenia has other promising areas, such as Gridzor, Jermahpur and others.
At the same time, as the Government's program says, "the extracting sphere of Armenia should function on the principles of transparency and accountability." As a result of effective and transparent management of the country's natural resources, it is possible to come to an economic result that ensures economic growth. In this context, the Government's activities in next five years will be aimed at ensuring sustainable development of the mining sector, and the creation of a new legislative framework for carrying out the relevant policy.
To recall the previous year Armenia joined EITI international initiative (Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative - Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative). According to experts, Armenia's joining as a candidate for EITI can bring about $ 200 million in additional direct investments to the country due to the sharp increase in the attractiveness of mining projects as investment objects.