ArmInfo. In the modern world tendencies of energy transformation are observed and it is necessary to clearly understand and assess the steps of the Armenian government in the development of this sphere. This was discussed at the meeting dedicated to the development prospects of the Armenian energy and current programs, Prime Minister of the Republic of Abkhazia Nikol Pashinyan stated.
According to him, according to the press service of the government, it is difficult to overestimate the role and significance of the energy system for the country's economy. But it is also important, Pashinyan continued, to understand the processes taking place on the international energy market so that the domestic power system is balanced, from a strategic point of view corresponded to modern criteria.
The Minister of Energy Infrastructures and Natural Resources of the Republic of Armenia Artur Grigoryan reported that the works on the implementation of the program for the extension of the lifetime of the second power unit of the Armenian nuclear power plant are being carried out in accordance with the established schedule without breaking the deadlines. In addition, the minister continued, in August of this year, scheduled preventive maintenance will finish at the station, and the second unit of the nuclear power plant will be put into operation. The meeting underscored the importance of further development of nuclear energy, taking into account the need for consistent work to improve the level of safety, as well as issues related to the maintenance and further processing of spent nuclear fuel. The minister also presented the process of implementing the project for the construction of the third Iran- Armenia power line, the prospects for the development of renewable energy, the current situation in the field of hydropower and possible programs. It was noted that, especially in the field of solar energy, there are positive developments, a number of investors submitted applications for the implementation of investment programs. The competition for the construction of a solar power plant and Masrik-1 with a capacity of 55 MW has been completed. The lowest tariff from the future solar generation facility was presented by the international consortium of the Netherlands company Fotowatio Renewable Ventures B.V and the Spanish FSL Solar S.L., which is recognized as the winner of the contest. The minister stressed that representatives of these companies will visit Armenia in the near future to sign an agreement on the construction of a solar power plant.
The Prime Minister welcomed successive steps to develop renewable energy, touched on hydropower, adding that the program should exclude a situation in which the opinion of community residents is not taken into account. "If this is a good project, you need to convince people, the opinion of the communities should be the determining factor in this issue, and this should concern not only the energy sector, but also any project," said Nikol Pashinyan, having commissioned to inventory all the doubtful, problematic obligations and take steps towards their settlement.
