Expert: Armenia`s energy independence level  is about 27%

ArmInfo.According to data for 2022, Armenia imports 73% of its energy resources, that is, the level  of energy independence is about 27%. Abgar Budaghyan, head of USAID Armenia's energy security project stated  on April 26 during public discussions on the topic "Prospects for diversification of the energy  sector in Armenia."

He noted that the Armenian government is implementing quite serious  programs to increase the share of renewable energy. "Last year,  together with the Cabinet of Ministers, new goals for renewable  energy were set. In particular, it is envisaged that by 2030 Armenia  will have solar stations with a total capacity of 1 thousand MW,  which will have to satisfy 50% of domestic consumption from renewable  energy sources," the expert said. 

According to Budagyan, by 2040, this indicator is planned to be  improved by building an additional capacity of 500 MW of solar energy  and 500 MW of wind. As a result, the share of domestic consumption  from renewable sources will be increased to 60%.

In addition, as Budagyan noted, the implementation of these programs  will lead to an increase in the number of electric vehicles and the  use of new technologies in the heat supply system. The specialist  drew attention to the fact that Armenia's dependence on gas, which is  mainly supplied from RF, is mainly associated with its widespread use  in the transport sector. A USAID representative said that 28% of  imported gas is consumed by transport. "If we want to reduce the  dependence of transport on gas, we must be able to provide people  with the tools to purchase electric vehicles," he said.

At the same time, Budagyan noted that as a result of a targeted  policy, there are opportunities for refueling electric vehicles using  solar energy. "It is impossible to reduce dependence on gas in one  day, but in at least 30 years this prospect seems more than  realistic," the specialist said, adding that energy independence has  a price. "This cannot happen under today's pricing conditions. And if  Armenia tries to increase the level of its energy independence, then  prices will have to change," he emphasized.

Notably, the Armenian government intends to ensure an increase in the  share of solar energy in the country's energy balance to 15% by 2030.

It is planned to build additional solar power plants with a capacity  of up to 500 MW, which, if necessary, will be combined with storage  stations. In parallel, wind power plants will also be built. It is  planned to increase the total capacity of solar and wind power plants  to 2000 MW by 2040.