
ArmInfo. It is evident that if the price of Russian gas increases, electricity tariffs in Armenia will change as well, Mesrop Mesropyan, Chairman of the Public Services Regulatory Commission (PSRC) of the Republic of Armenia, told reporters on June 11.
According to him, approximately 30-35% of all electricity generated in the country comes from thermal power plants, and if the price of gas rises, the impact on tariffs will be negative. However, the PSRC head believes that no tectonic changes should be expected as a result; the country will not find itself in the situation of the early 1990s, when the energy crisis resulted in rolling blackouts. Mesropyan noted that solar energy has been actively developing and continues to develop in the country in recent years. The presence of solar power plants alone will help avoid the crisis of the early 1990s.
At the same time, the head of the PSRC suggested that minor issues could potentially arise during the initial phase following a price increase, but rolling blackouts are not expected. He added that work to deploy energy storage installations will begin soon, which will also help mitigate potential disruptions. He further emphasized that even if the Russian Federation raises gas prices tomorrow, the republic's current tariffs will remain in effect until January 1, 2027, meaning there will be no immediate shocks. Furthermore, significant resources have been accumulated within the gas sector over recent years, which can be directed toward cushioning the impact of a price hike.