ArmInfo.According to data for 2022, Armenia imports 73% of its energy resources, that is, the level of energy independence is about 27%. Abgar Budaghyan, head of USAID Armenia's energy security project stated on April 26 during public discussions on the topic "Prospects for diversification of the energy sector in Armenia."
He noted that the Armenian government is implementing quite serious programs to increase the share of renewable energy. "Last year, together with the Cabinet of Ministers, new goals for renewable energy were set. In particular, it is envisaged that by 2030 Armenia will have solar stations with a total capacity of 1 thousand MW, which will have to satisfy 50% of domestic consumption from renewable energy sources," the expert said.
According to Budagyan, by 2040, this indicator is planned to be improved by building an additional capacity of 500 MW of solar energy and 500 MW of wind. As a result, the share of domestic consumption from renewable sources will be increased to 60%.
In addition, as Budagyan noted, the implementation of these programs will lead to an increase in the number of electric vehicles and the use of new technologies in the heat supply system. The specialist drew attention to the fact that Armenia's dependence on gas, which is mainly supplied from RF, is mainly associated with its widespread use in the transport sector. A USAID representative said that 28% of imported gas is consumed by transport. "If we want to reduce the dependence of transport on gas, we must be able to provide people with the tools to purchase electric vehicles," he said.
At the same time, Budagyan noted that as a result of a targeted policy, there are opportunities for refueling electric vehicles using solar energy. "It is impossible to reduce dependence on gas in one day, but in at least 30 years this prospect seems more than realistic," the specialist said, adding that energy independence has a price. "This cannot happen under today's pricing conditions. And if Armenia tries to increase the level of its energy independence, then prices will have to change," he emphasized.
Notably, the Armenian government intends to ensure an increase in the share of solar energy in the country's energy balance to 15% by 2030.
It is planned to build additional solar power plants with a capacity of up to 500 MW, which, if necessary, will be combined with storage stations. In parallel, wind power plants will also be built. It is planned to increase the total capacity of solar and wind power plants to 2000 MW by 2040.
