ArmInfo.Regrettably, none of the large-scale investment projects of hydraulic power system construction on the Debet and Arax rivers has made any substantial progress, Ara Marjanyan, UN National Expert on Energy, said in an interview with ArmInfo.
The project of hydraulic power system construction on the Debet River was developed back in the 1980s. The same period saw the first stages of the project of hydraulic power system construction on the Arax River - the Meghri hydropower plant on the border with Iran. However, the projects have since remained on paper, which can by no means be justified. Both the systems are projects of paramount importance as it is a question of using Armenia's own resources, renewable energy, such as hydropower.
"And Meghri hydro is an international project, which, if it had been implemented, would not only enhance the economic potential of Armenia's Syunik, but also strengthen Armenian-Iranian relations and Armenia's energy security," Mr Marjanyan said.
Despite a number of reasons for the lack of progress, the expert, however, says: "The fact that all the projects have not so far been implemented cannot be explained. And this factor adversely affects the development of Armenia's energy complex," he said.
As regards earlier reports on the EU's allocation of 8bln Euros to Armenia, Mr Marjanyan said:
"Why was not part of the funds directed to the all-important energy projects?"
The expert recalls a Soviet-era storage plant construction project, which served as a basis for comprehensive research sponsored by the World Bank back in 2012. However, the project has never been implemented.
"Not a single step has even been made to launch the project. But the plant would prove effective with the NPP operating in Armenia, which would enhance the efficiency of Armenia's energy sector. I think and hope the project will be implemented after all," the expert said.
