Creation of common energy market to help develop Armenia's economy and security - Deputy Minister

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YEREVAN, October 1 /ARKA/. The creation of a common energy market with the countries of the region will help Armenia to develop its economy and enhance its security, said Armenian Deputy Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Hakob Vardanyan.nbsp;br/pp

Armenia does not have direct energy links with the unified energy system with Russia and other countries, but soon we will build new power transmission lines with Georgia, and through Georgia we will establish parallel work of our power grids. We believe that this will help us increase the country's energy security, Vardanyan said at the Third Eurasian Economic Forum in Yerevan today.nbsp;/pp

He noted that electricity in Armenia is expensive due to the need to have large reserve capacities and pay for their services. The deputy minister noted that joining the unified energy system will allow connecting and disconnecting from it as needed, which will give Armenia several advantages.nbsp;/pp

This will bring several advantages to our energy system. Firstly, the cost per kWh will be significantly lower than the current one. Energy security will be higher, and the economy will develop, as there will be an endless opportunity to export electricity, the deputy minister said.nbsp;/pp

Varadanyan noted that Armenia currently consumes 7 billion kWh of electricity and can produce the same amount for export./pp

This means that now we are paying for capacities, but they are idle, and Armenian consumers are paying for this. If integration occurs, then it will be possible to use these capacities, and our energy consumers will stop paying for idle capacities, he added. -0-nbsp;/p