ArmInfo. Minister of Energy Infrastructures and Natural Resources of Armenia Artur Grigoryan received today the US Ambassador to Armenia Richard Mills, the press service of the ministry reports.
The interlocutors discussed issues related to the implementation of the program of liberalization of the country's electricity market, which the minister called one of the government's priorities.
"Accountable, transnational and competitive market is key to attracting investment. This is an important moment for Armenia and the United States," the ambassador said. He noted the extensive experience of cooperation between the US Embassy and the Ministry and expressed confidence that this cooperation will develop fruitfully.
The program of liberalization of the electricity market of Armenia, launched in 2017, envisages the introduction of the institute of an alternative electricity supplier. The consumer will have the opportunity, in addition to "Electric Networks of Armenia", to purchase electricity from other suppliers. Nevertheless, the "Electric Networks of Armenia" will remain the guaranteed suppliers of the product. That consumer who does not want to purchase electricity from alternative suppliers, can continue to receive it from networks. Another innovation concerns the entry of large wholesale consumers into the market, which will be able to purchase electricity directly from generation facilities, import it and use it for their own needs. Thus, according to the program, the actions of large wholesale consumers are greatly simplified, the licenses for which are combined into one. This measure is aimed at regional integration, which should lead to a significant increase in the private sector market. The powers of the regulatory bodies, represented by the Ministry of Energy Infrastructures and Natural Resources of the Republic of Armenia and the Commission on Regulation of Public Services, are also regulated.