ArmInfo. A 10-year program worth $ 700 million is being implemented in "Electric Networks of Armenia" CJSC. Acting Minister of Energy Infrastructures and Natural Resources Garegin Baghramyan announced this on April 18 from the rostrum of the National Assembly of Armenia.According to him, as a result of the project implementation, by 2026 a fully renovated electric grid facilities will be formed in Armenia. At the same time, the level of losses will be 6%, which corresponds to the best European standards.
As a result, continuedBaghramyan, the margin for networks, which currently stands at 11-12 drams, will not be increased, but at the same time, it will not be reduced, since investments require a return.Recall that on December 28 last year, the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) and the Electric Networks of Armenia signed a loan agreement on attracting $ 20 million to implement the program. Some sources of project financing are already known, while others are under discussion. In addition to the EDB, the EBRD and ADB also participate in the program, each of which has already given the go-ahead to provide loans of $ 80 million.
The program will provide an opportunity to improve the distribution of electricity in Armenia, reduce electricity losses and operating costs, improve the conditions of maintenance and safety, strengthen and expand the distribution network, connect new customers to the network, improve maintenance and security, and introduce international management standards and automated control system. The implementation of the 10-year program will make it possible to reconstruct and modernize electrical equipment, whose age is estimated at 50 years or more. It is also planned to modernize electrical substations, reconstruct distribution points, completely replace air and cable lines, and introduce ASKO electricity metering systems throughout the country. An important place in the investment program will be occupied by the construction of the electric substations "Circus", "Purak" and "Malibu", from which electricity is supplied to the consumers of the center of the Armenian capital. It is also provided from 2020 to completely abandon induction meters. At the same time, 450 thousand consumers will be involved in the ASKO system, with the help of which it will be possible to notify consumers using smartphones.
With the introduction of new technologies will be reduced and the number of employees. The reduction will be made through optimization. But the owners of the company carry out a clearly defined socially oriented policy. Those employees who will be reduced or will be transferred to other jobs created, or will receive a salary for at least 1 year. It is possible that a significant part of the equipment will be procured at Armenian enterprises, which will make it possible to create new jobs, including for the company's employees, which will be reduced. The Tashir group of companies, headed by a large Russian businessman of Armenian origin Samvel Karapetyan and Inter RAO, on September 30, 2015 signed an agreement on the sale and purchase of electric power assets of the Russian energy holding in the Republic of Armenia - Electric Network of Armenia CJSC and Razdanskaya TPP.
Electric Networks of Armenia CJSC was established in May 2002 as a result of the merger of four state regional electricity distribution and sales companies: Yerevan Electric Networks, Northern Electric Networks, Southern Electric Networks and Central Electric Networks. The main activity of the company is the regulated distribution and sale of electricity.The total length of networks is 36 thousand km. The company serves about 985,000 consumers. Electric Networks of Armenia CJSC has an exclusive license for transmission and distribution of electricity on the territory of the Republic of Armenia at guaranteed tariffs calculated on the basis of the company's costs and an adjustable rate of return on invested capital.