Tuesday, August 22 2023 15:34

ArmInfo. There is progress in the energy sector of Armenia, but in general there is also a decline  in rates, despite the fact that, according to the government, solar  energy in the country is developing above the norm. atul Manaseryan,  Doctor of Economics, professor, head of the "Alternative" Research  Center, a member of the Eurasian Expert Club stated during a press  conference on August 22.

In this regard, referring to the forecast of the Eurasian Expert  Club, he noted that the state will stop supporting legal entities and  individuals in the field of solar energy. According to the economist,  the attitude of the state towards this industry has not been so  positive lately, especially considering that large funds are  allocated from the budget for the support program.

Manaseryan recalled that last year serious work was done to extend  the operational period of the Metsamor nuclear power plant until  2036."This means that we have time for concrete steps towards the  second power unit in order to prevent problems," he stressed.

In general, the expert noted that the slowdown in the energy and  industry of Armenia is mainly due to the tension in relations with  Azerbaijan, the occupation of the sovereign territory of the Republic  of Armenia by the latter, and daily shelling. According to the  expert, attacks on people engaged in agricultural work both in  Armenia and Artsakh, were also added to this.

It should be noted that last summer the government of the Republic of  Armenia decided to assist the development of solar energy. Supported  by state, it is possible to install a solar system with a limit of up  to 10 million drams at preferential rates of 0-2% - in border areas,  2% - in villages, 3% - in regional cities, 5% - in Yerevan. The  authorities plan to increase the share of solar energy in the  country's energy balance from about 0.3% to 15% by 2030. According to  Gevorg Hakhverdyan, Commercial Director at OHM ENERGY, for all these  purposes, up to $650 million may be invested in solar energy in  Armenia.

According to the RA Statistical Committee, electricity generation in  Armenia decreased by 2.7%, totaling 4,270.1 million kWh. At the same  time, solar power plants increased energy production by 79.9% to  181.4 million kWh.

Production volumes in the industrial sector of Armenia in H1 2023,  slowed down growth to 1% (from 5.8% a year earlier), totaling 1.2  trillion drams ($3 billion).