12.11.2014 A Conference was held today at the Government House organized by the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources and Armenia Renewable Resources and Energy Efficiency Fund devoted to the problems of small hydropower plants, sector’s development prospects and perspectives. Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Yervand Zakharyan, Deputy Minister Hayk Harutyunyan, Ministry officials, director of the Fund Tamara Babayan, representatives from small hydro power plants, international and non-governmental organizations took part at the conference. Yervand Zakharyan had an opening speech at the conference, greeted the participants, thanked them for the participation and for the interest expressed towards the energy sector. He noted that Armenia’s experience in the sector’s development is truly unprecedented, given the fact, that more than 150 privately owned SHPPs were built during the past decade.About 162 SHPPs with 277 MgW capacity are operating in the Republic by October 1, 2014. According to the provided licenses, another 65 small hydropower plants with 131 MgW capacity are in the construction stage. The pledge of these achievements is the promoting policies and enabling environment for the investments in the field, which was created by the participation of various stakeholders and by the support of international donor organizations. According to the minister, small hydropower plants sector may be surely considered functioning at present, but that does not mean that there are no concerns or problems in the sector regarding the maintenance of results obtained and further development, as well as sustainability of the sector. Today’s conference is devoted to revealing existing problems and finding solutions to ensure sustainable development of the sector. Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Yervand Zakharyan thanked the HPPs representatives for the efforts and investments made in the sector, and advised the participants to be active during the discussions. Deputy Minister Hayk Harutyunyan, President of Association of SHPPs Naira Nahapetyan, head of the department of Development of the Ministry Hratsh Tsughunyan, head of RE Division of the Ministry Daniel Stepanian, director of Ecolur NGO Inga Zarafian and representatives of international organizations had speeches during the conference. Operation and development perspectives of SHPPs, legislative regulation improvements of technical problems, regulation of environmental issues and water usage efficiency, construction and renovation opportunities and international experience, and various problems were discussed during the conference.
