In 2018 7 new small hydroelectric power stations will be built in Armenia

ArmInfo. In 2018, 7 new  small hydroelectric power stations with a total installed capacity of  21 MW will be built in Armenia. On February 13, Deputy Minister of  Energy Infrastructures and Natural Resources Hayk Harutyunyan said  during a meeting with journalists.

According to him, as of the end of January this year, there are 184  small hydropower stations operating in Armenia with a total installed  capacity of 354 MW.

The regulator granted licenses for the construction of 36 other small  hydropower facilities.

Earlier, the press service of the Ministry of Energy Infrastructures  and Natural Resources of Armenia reported that the share of small  hydropower stations in the total electricity produced in Armenia in  2017 increased by 13% compared to 2016.

Nevertheless, in October last year the Minister of Energy  Infrastructures and Natural Resources of the Republic of Armenia  Ashot Manukyan reported that about a third of small hydropower plants  will close within the next five years.  At present, the process of  introduction of new technical regulations for small hydro power  plants is continuing in Armenia, which will make it possible to  improve the conditions of their operation and ensure sustainable  development.