Armenia imports nearly all its gas—a level of dependence that poses a systemic challenge to the nation. Though the country has no domestic gas or nuclear resources, it does have one important asset: the sun. Now, the government and the private sector are working together to scale up solar generati Contact online >>
Armenia imports nearly all its gas—a level of dependence that poses a systemic challenge to the nation. Though the country has no domestic gas or nuclear resources, it does have one important asset: the sun. Now, the government and the private sector are working together to scale up solar generation to ensure energy security and to cut both emissions and fuel-import costs.
Masrik Solar, Armenia''s first grid-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) project, is a key element of that strategy. The World Bank has helped the government with feasibility studies and support preparing the Masrik project since 2015. In 2017, the government, with support from the World Bank, launched a successful international public tender for a 55-megawatt (MV) solar PV project—the first major step on the country''s path toward energy independence. The World Bank continued to provide transaction advisory support.
Now, IFC is financing the development, construction, and operation of Masrik Solar, which includes a 55-MW power plant and a 9-kilometer transmission overhead line located in Mets Masrik municipality, Gegharkunik Province, a rural community located by Lake Sevan. It is Armenia''s first large utility-scale and competitively-tendered solar independent power producer.
Masrik Solar will help assure the reliability of Armenia''s electricity supply by increasing the country''s peak-load capacity at affordable tariffs, while also contributing to lowering the greenhouse gas emissions from the power system. As the first utility scale solar power project in a nascent market, Masrik Solar is expected to help create a template for future solar power projects by demonstrating the viability of competitive power generation from a local renewable resource.
Once it becomes operational in the summer of 2022, Masrik Solar is expected to generate over 128 gigawatt hours of electricity per year at a competitive tariff of 4.19 cents per kilowatt hour. The project will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by around 40,000 tons annually between 2022 and 2042 by replacing power generated from more carbon-intensive sources.
The Masrik Solar initiative comes after 15 years of collaboration between the World Bank Group and the Government of Armenia. Since 2005, the government, with support from the World Bank, has implemented sweeping power-sector reforms to deliver a cleaner and more efficient power supply to consumers. The reforms introduced more sustainable tariffs and set renewable energy feed-in tariffs.
After the power sector was unbundled, separate generation, transmission and distribution companies were established, and an independent regulator was introduced. The reforms improved the sector''s financial stability—including the financial health of the Electric Networks of Armenia, the company responsible for distribution of electricity to consumers. This established a foundation that was more attractive to private investors.
With increased private investment, Armenia''s power sector will be able to bolster energy security and ensure the supply of reliable power. Alongside much-needed capital, private companies are also sharing their expertise on governance and best practices and introducing cutting-edge technology.
IFC has supported the growth, reliability, and independence of Armenia''s power sector for many years. Support includes an equity investment in 2015 and a $140 million long-term debt package for the privatization of the Vorotan hydropower complex in 2016. This was the first major international debt-financing package in Armenia''s power sector. The Vorotan complex is one of the country''s main power-generating facilities, providing 12 percent of Armenia''s electricity generation.
That initiative led to additional private investment in the country''s energy sector. In 2019, IFC and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), another member of the World Bank Group, supported the financing of Armenia''s first greenfield project-financed power plant, a 250-MW gas-fired thermal power facility to help bolster the power generation. It will replace an old, less-efficient 410-MW thermal power plant, increasing efficiency for gas-fired electricity, lowering imported gas costs, and cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
Solar energy is widely available in Armenia due to its geographical position and is considered a developing industry. In 2022 less than 2% of Armenia''s electricity was generated by solar power.[1]
The use of solar energy in Armenia is gradually increasing.[2] In 2019, the European Union announced plans to assist Armenia towards developing its solar power capacity. The initiative has supported the construction of a power plant with 4,000 solar panels located in Gladzor.[3]
In 2018 the amount of solar power produced in Armenia increased by nearly 50 per cent. Government figures show that Armenia''s solar power average is 60 per cent better than the European average.[1]
Currently 9 solar PV plants (total installed capacity – about 7,02 MW) have been put into operation. 7 companies (totally 31,5 MW) have been licensed for the construction of the solar PV plant with up tp 5 MW installed capacity.[12]
As of February 20, 2019, technical terms were given to 907 autonomous energy producers with capacity up to 500 kW (total capacity 12,9 MW), 854 of which have already been connected to energy system (total capacity 10,3 MW).[12] Example of buildings equipped with solar panels are the American University of Armenia generating enough power for the elevators and other uses, and the UN House in Armenia.[13]
A 55 MW utility-scale solar power plant will be built near Mets Masrik in Gegharkunik province, requiring an investment of about $50 million. International tender was won by consortium of the Netherlands'' Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV) B.V and Spain''s FSL Solar S.L. that are expected to commission the plant in 2020.[14][12]
There are defined tariffs for generating electricity using solar energy. In November 2016, Public Services Regulatory Commission of RA made a decision to set the price of electrical energy from photovoltaic systems to 42.645 AMD/kWh.
Consumers are allowed to install solar panels with total power of up to 150 kW, and may sell any surplus to electricity distribution company Electric Networks of Armenia (ENA).[15]
In Armenia, solar thermal collectors, or water-heaters, are produced in standard sizes (1.38-4.12 square meters).[16] Solar water-heaters can be used for space heating, solar cooling, etc. In order to generate heat, they use solar energy from the Sun. Modern solar water֊heaters can cause water to boil even in winter․[17]
Solar thermal collectors are used throughout the territory of Armenia.[17] One building using solar thermal collectors is AUA, which uses solar cooling and ventilation systems. The biggest solar water-heater in Armenia is located at Diana hotel in Goris, which has 1900 vacuum tubes that provide hot water for a swimming pool with 180 cubic meter volume, and for 40 hotel rooms.[18]
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