ArmInfo. At its meeting on April 22, the Public Services Regulatory Commission of the Republic of Armenia approved a decision to lower connection fees for new consumers ( individuals and legal entities) of the Electric Networks of Armenia CJSC. According to the PSRC decision, new connection fees will be reduced to 40 percent, and fees for increasing existing capacity or connecting new capacity will be reduced to 55%.
In an interview with journalists, Commission Chairman Mesrop Mesropyan urged not to interpret the decision as politically motivated, particularly in the run-up to the elections. "You and many of our citizens may form your own opinions on this matter, but there is no political subtext," Mesropyan stated. Meanwhile, Romanos Petrosyan, interim manager of ENA, who participated in the PSRC meeting, informed the media that the transaction for the transfer of shares in Electric Networks of Armenia CJSC must be concluded by May 20, otherwise the state will initiate the procedure for recognizing the company as an object of priority public interest. He recalled that the Administrative Court's decision is currently in effect, according to which the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure has been ordered to refrain from initiating the nationalization procedure until May 25, giving the parties the opportunity to reach an agreement on the transaction price. Petrosyan noted that steps are currently being taken to ensure the transfer of 100% of the company's shares to state ownership by mutual agreement of the parties. If this is not achieved, the process will transition into a stage of forced nationalization.
"The next stage will involve an assessment of the company's market value by an independent licensed organization," he stated. After the valuation is complete, the shares will be transferred to state ownership, after which the authorized body will apply to the Public Regulatory Commission (PRUC) to obtain a new license for electricity distribution activities. Petrosyan also noted that his authority will be terminated once ENA receives its new license and the procedure is fully completed.
