ArmInfo.From February 2022, part of the energy market in Armenia will be liberalized. This was stated by the Chairman of the Public Services Regulatory Commission Garegin Baghramyan on November 16 at a meeting in the National Assembly, answering a question about the fate of small hydroelectric power plants.
As the head of PSRC pointed out, the guarantee of compulsory purchase of electricity, previously provided by the state to small hydroelectric power plants (for a period of 15 years), will not work if new regulations are introduced. "They will be free to join the electronic market trading platform and trade in accordance with all trading rules," Baghramyan explained.
According to the head of the Regulator, from May 1, according to the amendments to the law "On Energy", licenses will be provided without quotas and corresponding state guarantees, but according to a simpler scheme. Further, by connecting to the electronic platform, these business entities will be able to wholesale the generated electricity.
Earlier, Deputy Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures Hakob Vardanyan reported that for the implementation of the program for the liberalization of the electricity market, the US Agency for International Development provided a grant in the amount of $ 8.5 million. According to him, with the liberalization of the market, a number of generating stations will start selling their electricity at a tariff formed as a result of supply and demand in the market, and not at the tariff price set by the PSRC. As a result of the application of the program, generating facilities will have the opportunity of 10% free sale of electricity. As the Deputy Minister assured, the gradual liberalization of the electricity market will ensure equal competitive conditions, contribute to the stabilization of tariffs and increase the level of regional cooperation.
