ArmInfo. Project of constructing 30MW geothermal power plant is being developed in Armenia, Deputy Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Hayk Harutyunyan has told journalists.
According to him drilling operations to a depth of 1500 meters are being conducted in various regions of the country. Three boreholes will be drilled in overall. The drilling of the first borehole will last for 4 months during which the drill samples from every layer are being sent to the laboratories for examination. After finishing drilling operations and research the amounts of underground resources will be documented. Based on the project a tender will be announced on construction of a geothermal power plant with a capacity of 30 MW for annual production of 200-250 kW/h electricity in an hour. The cost of the project will total 100 mln USD. In case of right operation this source of hot water can be used agelessly, the Deputy Minister noted.
To note, Armenian authorities have made a decision to construct a geothermal plant and have received the first results of drilling of geothermal holes near Karkar community. The analysis of the results showed that the capacity of the new geothermal plant may total around 30-50MW. Climate Investment Funds has allocated 8.55 mln USD grant to Armenia for the exploratory drilling project. The Energy Ministry of Armenia has calculated that the potential capacity of the geothermal sector in the country totals around 150 MW. The project of geothermal PP is estimated at 45 mln USD. The launch of operation is scheduled for 2020. It is expected to start construction in 2017.