Tariff revision possible over difficulties in energy system: MinisterJune 2, 2014 - 16:58 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Deputy Minister of Energy and Natural Resources said the issue of energy tariffs is occasionally revised, with no decision passed at present, Panorama.am reported. According to Ara Simonyan, currently Armenia's energy system faces difficulties caused by a number of unfavorable circumstances including a low-water season. "Debates are in progress, with no specific information as to final revision of tariffs available yet." On May 16, Armenia’s State Commission for the Protection of Economic Competition (SCPEC) imposed a fine of 20 million drams on Electric Networks of Armenia (ENA) CJSC, based on an application of Yerevan residents. In particular, residents complained that although the construction of their building was completed 4 years ago, they could not move to their new apartments due to absence of electricity supply. The building residents applied to ENA, which did not act to solve this problem. The commission said that ENA is not authorized to use its own discretion to deal with the problem of residents’ electricity supply. On the commission’s demand, ENA provided an explanation. The company said that an agreement on technological connection work had been signed with the construction company – Millar OJSC, but the work was not completed due to non-fulfillment of financial obligations of 15 million drams. The residents were offered to pay 138,000 drams each for connection to the network, but the necessary sum was not collected because owners from the Diaspora were absent and also because of the fact that not all apartments in the building were sold. The residents were also surprised that ENA signed an agreement without making a payment to Millar, including a prepayment for construction of a substation. The SCPEC has ordered Electric Networks of Armenia to sign an agreement on power supply with the residents within 7 days. In summer 2013, Public Services Regulatory Commission (PSRC) confirmed an increase of electricity tariff – AMD 38 per 1 kilowatt (up from AMD 30 per kilowatt.) Nighttime tariff amounted to AMD 28 (up from AMD 20 per kilowatt.) The move sparked a wave of protests among Armenia's population, with a signature campaign against the hike initiated. The activists’ application, however, was turned down December 17 by the administrative court. Top stories Yerevan has dismissed Turkey’s demand to shut down the Armenian nuclear power plant as “inappropriate”. Armenia will loan 2.9 billion drams to Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh), according to a draft government decision. The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan has “strongly condemned” Armenia’s decision. Kerobyan has said that for the first time in the history of Armenia, the volume of foreign direct investments amounted to about $1 billion. Partner news | Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel. Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. |