Ashot Manukyan summed up the ministry's activity one year

RA Minister of Energy infrastructures and Natural Resources Ashot Manukyan on 20 October summed up the results of the Ministry's activities for the past year. Presenting the programs implemented in the sphere of energy, the Minister noted that in order to expand the energy capacities of Armenia, a contract was signed with RENCO to build a power plant with a combined power of 250 MW in the adjacent Yerevan TPP CJSC. With its effectiveness it will be the best in comparison with all other thermal plants in Armenia. The usefulness of the new station reaches 53%, which exceeds the index of the Yerevan Thermal Power Plant by 3-4%.

"This means that we can generate more electricity with less gas," the minister said.

The government has approved the Shnogh hydroelectric power plant with the capacity of 76 MW in Lori province, which is an important step on the way to more efficient use of Armenia's internal resources. The Minister informed that a tender was announced for the construction of a 50-55 MW solar photovoltaic plant with industrial scale  in the Masrik of Gegharkunik province at the first stage of the solar photovoltaic plant construction project.

Ten companies and consortia were selected from 20 participants who overcame the pre-qualification threshold. The second stage of the competition will be announced in the near future, as a result of which the organization or consortium will be recognized as the winner, which will offer the lowest price. Licenses have been issued for the construction of 11 solar power stations with a capacity of up to 1 MW, the total capacity of which will be 10 MW. Measures are being taken to extend the life of the second block of nuclear power plant. The works will last till 2020, after which it will be clear how long it will be possible to exploit the nuclear power plant.

Referring to the viewpoints on the closure of the ANPP in the EU-Armenia agreement, Ashot Manukyan underlined that the document states that the energy security of Armenia implies development of peaceful nuclear energy. The position of the government on the ANPP is unequivocal and clear, the Minister emphasized.

- We have repeatedly stated and continue to state that the existing the ANPP's existing power unit is not endless, it will work as much as resources will allowwill. After that, it will not operated, instead a new energy unit will be built. It is the government's position because development of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes is one of the priorities of our government.

According to the minister, the construction of the nuclear power plant is not problematic for Armenia.

- I am confident that a new power unit will be built. It's a completely different matter with what power and what technology. The question will be answered in two years. In the meantime we will have a scientifically justified assessment of our IAEA partners, how long can we use the station. In the next two years we will have the results of the testing of small modular reactors and we will see what new technologies are available in the world through which we can build a nuclear power plant,- said Ashot Manukyan.

Talking about possible changes in electricity tariffs in the near future, the Minister noted that this issue is within the scope of the activities of the Public Services Regulatory Commission. If the government or the ministry interferes in the formation of tariffs, it will undermine the foundations of the economic policy. For this purpose an independent body-commission was created. Therefore, the Public Services Regulatory Commission will give a final answer to the question. Meanwhile, the Minister does not see any preconditions for raising electricity tariffs in the near future. There are no preconditions for possible tariff reduction. The problem is primarily related to the implementation of nuclear power plant renewal measures. In the next two years, the operation of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant will be stopped for a much longer period.

The word is about six and six months. "It is not difficult to imagine what kind of pressure on the system."

Taking this into consideration.

- I think we do not have the opportunity to reduce tariffs. Moreover, the Nuclear Power Plant is the cheapest power generation power system in the world.

Touching upon the cooperation with Iran in the field of energy, Ashot Manukyan attached importance to the importance of construction of the third high-voltage line Iran-Armenia, which will significantly increase electricity and gas exchanges.

- This program is extremely effective. Two years later, it will be more effective,-  the minister said.

Ashot Manukyan informed that during the visit of the Armenian Prime Minister to Iran, not only the electricity and gas project but also the possibility of buying Iranian gas was discussed.

But it is necessary to offer a lower price. At the moment there is no such proposal. During the visit, the sides also discussed Armenia-Iran-Turkmenistan trilateral cooperation in the energy sphere. Armenia sees the prospect of participation in Iran-Turkmenistan debt relations in particular. The Armenian government's proposal was accepted as acceptable both by the Iranian and Turkmenian.

- There is an agreement on the upcoming trilateral meeting. The dates are being clarified,- said Ashot Manukyan.