Armenians to pay more for electricity in 2019 (video)
The National Assembly today discussed an agreement signed between Armenia and Russia on extending the operation of Metsamor’s second reactor unit. Areg Galstyan, Deputy Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, said the extension of the agreement will allow the sides to regulate relations between authorized organizations. “The process will take place in two stages. First we shall examine the equipment and prepare a plan of actions for extending the operational life of the reactor. Then we shall determine the cost of the program. If the comprehensive study of the second unit proves effective, the license for operating the reactor unit will be extended until 2016,” he said. Vahan Babayan, a lawmaker from the Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK) asked the ministry official about loans and investments. “Have you studied the issue thoroughly? Do we need those investments?” he said. “We were forced to invest the money otherwise we would have a serious lack of basic resources in the future. If another unit is not built in the meantime, we will have to fill the energy deficit with the help of thermal power plants,” said Mr Galstyan. He reminded that Armenian Nuclear Power Plant sells electricity at 11 drams per 1 kWh, and thermal power plants at 31drams. “We will have to use expensive electricity. In 2019, when the start repaying the loan, we shall have to pay 2,5 times more for electricity, including VAT.”
