ArmInfo.Armenia's energy security is a key component of national security. This was discussed at the public discussions organized by the Democratic Consolidation Party, held on December 17, 2022.
During the discussions, it was noted that Armenia is currently facing many challenges, including in terms of ensuring energy security. And the new geopolitical realities have shown that the problems of energy security have become an existential threat for Armenia and require urgent solutions. Under these conditions, it is important to assess the existing risks and opportunities, to make this component of security a political agenda.
"Armenia was not ready for the transformations taking place in the world, and the energy security of the country today is quite vulnerable. To solve the tasks we are facing, it is necessary to ensure the strategic development of the industry, implement targeted projects aimed at improving the energy security of the country, and engage energy diplomacy, a key component of which is political will. The existence of a nuclear power plant in Armenia's energy system, the construction and operation of a new nuclear power plant after the completion of the operation of the 2nd power unit of the ANPP, the full implementation of the North-South Transit Energy Corridor Project are of strategic importance for the country. Armenia has experience not only in the operation of a nuclear power plant in the region, but also in its successful restart>, an expert on energy security, Candidate of Technical Sciences Artur Avetisyan said.
In turn, Armen Manvelyan, a specialist in energy geopolitics and international security issues, emphasized the relevance of the topic, especially now, in the context of the energy crisis in the world. < Western countries, especially the EU, have begun to abandon Russian energy resources, gas, oil, because they are convinced that they will find an alternative to it. Azerbaijan and Turkey are taking advantage of this situation by trying to become a new market for suppliers in the region. It is very important for Armenia to work with the Russian and Iranian sides. For example, there is a shortage of electricity in Iran in the summer, and there is the same problem in Russia in the winter. This means that the political component is very important, and as a result of ill-conceived policies, the country faces political risks that also affect its energy security. Energy security is a key component of national security policy, if it is not ensured, then not only national security, but the entire political component as a whole becomes vulnerable," Armen Manvelyan noted.
Head of the Department of Thermal Energy and Environmental Protection of the National Polytechnic University of Armenia, Ph.D., Associate Professor Mary Ghazaryan also stressed the importance of operating a nuclear power plant, noting that otherwise our country will be ignored from an energy point of view by both Europe and the United States.
Expert on international projects, candidate of economic sciences, associate professor Sos Khachikyan, speaking about the South Caucasus region, recalled that Turkey announced its intention to become an "energy hub" and if Russia is going to become the main supplier of these resources, it is necessary to identify the ways in which these energy resources can be supplied to Turkey.
The speakers and participants also discussed issues related to ensuring the energy security of Artsakh and the implementation of possible projects and measures to prevent an energy crisis in Artsakh.
Summing up, the experts noted that Armenia, carrying out its energy diplomacy, should give priority attention not only to global trends in the field of energy, but also to the directions and programs, the implementation of which is vital for Armenia. Under the current realities in the region, relations with Russia, Iran and Georgia in the field of energy are of a strategic nature, and in the case of purposeful work, Armenia can form a new culture of cooperation by implementing new projects, forming relations with India and China within this framework. There are certain plans for the operation of power lines along the bottom of the Black Sea, which will connect Europe with the region. Armenia also has great potential to join this program.
