18.04.2012 Director of the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Fund of Armenia Tamara Babayan had an official visit to Vienna to meet with the Energy Community Secretariat S. Neykovi.
Here we present the article published of the secretariat web site.
17 Apr 2012 Secretariat talks with the Armenia Renewable Resources and Energy Efficiency Fund
Today, 17. April 2012, Ms. Tamara Babayan, Director of Armenia Renewable Resources and Energy Efficiency Fund paid a visit at the Energy Community Secretariat. Established via a World Bank loan in early 2006, the Fund enjoys good reputation beyond its borders. The aim of the visit was to exchange information and to consider possibilities for future cooperation between Armenia and the Energy Community stakeholders on the ground of the available best practice.
The Armenian government passed the World Bank credit to the Fund, enabling it to lend 9,2 million US$ on renewable energy and energy efficiency projects during the first 4 years. With the support of the EBRD, 5 million US$ were earmarked for the financing of 27 small (up to 10 MW) hydro power plants. The rest was allocated for the support of diverse energy efficiency measures in the heating sector.
The Fund now has a new initiative on public buildings energy efficiency. As a rule, the Fund grants soft loans. It offers interest rates well below the market level, maturity conditions of 7 to 8 years and favourable grace periods during the construction period.
The Fund was established by a government degree. It employees 17 persons. The fact that the Fund was already established in 2006 reflects the importance of renewable energy and energy efficiency in the Armenian energy mix. In contrast to its neighbouring countries, Armenia lacks indigenous fuel resources.
Whilst acknowledging that her country has a “very good agreement”, Ms. Babayan was particularly interested in hearing about the existing heating energy efficiency measures in the Energy Community. Also, the mandates of the Task Forces on energy efficiency and renewable energy were debated. Mr. Slavtcho Neykov, Director of the Secretariat, paid special tribute to Armenia’s efforts to support green energy. Whilst noting that currently there is no legal obligation, he urged Armenia to continue to prepare for the implementation of the Treaty. Mr. Neykov sees today’s visit as one of the preparatory steps for the Day of Armenia in the Energy Community, scheduled for 5 July 2012.
Official site