Project of Building Hrazdan Thermal Power Plant 5th Block Launched
Armenia and Iran have launched a project of building of the 5th block of Hrazdan thermal power plant, Armenian Minister of Energy Armen Movsisyan stated during a press briefing December 8. According to some data, Iran will invest $150 million into the project. When commenting on a statement of Russian Premier Mikhail Fradkov, who reaffirmed
Russian party's interest in participation in that project, Mr. Movsisyan said, «Fradkov wants that, but that desire is not supported by a specific proposal. Thus, we have noting to consider. On the other hand Russia takes part in the project anyway. In particular, we actively work with the Project Institute, which has arranged the project of building the
5th block of Hrazdan thermal power plant». Meanwhile, it should be reminded that the Russian party in the person of RAO UES of Russia and Gazprom Corporation initially claimed the right for building of the block, as well laying the Armenian part of Iran-Armenia gas pipeline. The Armenian Government preferred two Iranian companies Sanir and MAR.
As of the building of the pipeline, Armen Movsisyan confirmed the terms announced earlier, emphasizing the gas pipeline will be commissioned in early 2007. At that he stated that Iran-Armenia gas pipeline will be an energy security factor for Armenia and it is not considered as an alternative to Russian route of gas supplies. «This is merely a second way of gas supplies to Armenia. We are not yet familiar with Russian gas tariffs, thus we cannot compare these with Iran's prices,» he remarked. It should be noted that the Armenian party will pay for the Iranian gas by means of electricity supplies. Experts suppose in case Russia increases gas tariffs and Georgia does the same regarding transit tariffs, Armenia may resort to Iranian gas supplies fully. Thus, Armen Movsisyan today emphasized that as much gas, as is received from Russia at present, can be supplied to Armenia via Iran-Armenia gas pipeline. It should be noted that the northern rote of gas supplies is the only one for Armenia at present.
According to Movsisyan, three major projects were discussed during the talks with Iranian Energy Minister Seid Fattah, who was visiting Yerevan. These are continuation of Iran-Armenia gas pipeline, building of high-voltage line between the two countries, as well as completion of the building of the 5th block of Hrazdan thermal power plant. All those
projects, in the Minister's words, will be implemented in next two years, reported IA Regnum.
Russian party's interest in participation in that project, Mr. Movsisyan said, «Fradkov wants that, but that desire is not supported by a specific proposal. Thus, we have noting to consider. On the other hand Russia takes part in the project anyway. In particular, we actively work with the Project Institute, which has arranged the project of building the
5th block of Hrazdan thermal power plant». Meanwhile, it should be reminded that the Russian party in the person of RAO UES of Russia and Gazprom Corporation initially claimed the right for building of the block, as well laying the Armenian part of Iran-Armenia gas pipeline. The Armenian Government preferred two Iranian companies Sanir and MAR.
As of the building of the pipeline, Armen Movsisyan confirmed the terms announced earlier, emphasizing the gas pipeline will be commissioned in early 2007. At that he stated that Iran-Armenia gas pipeline will be an energy security factor for Armenia and it is not considered as an alternative to Russian route of gas supplies. «This is merely a second way of gas supplies to Armenia. We are not yet familiar with Russian gas tariffs, thus we cannot compare these with Iran's prices,» he remarked. It should be noted that the Armenian party will pay for the Iranian gas by means of electricity supplies. Experts suppose in case Russia increases gas tariffs and Georgia does the same regarding transit tariffs, Armenia may resort to Iranian gas supplies fully. Thus, Armen Movsisyan today emphasized that as much gas, as is received from Russia at present, can be supplied to Armenia via Iran-Armenia gas pipeline. It should be noted that the northern rote of gas supplies is the only one for Armenia at present.
According to Movsisyan, three major projects were discussed during the talks with Iranian Energy Minister Seid Fattah, who was visiting Yerevan. These are continuation of Iran-Armenia gas pipeline, building of high-voltage line between the two countries, as well as completion of the building of the 5th block of Hrazdan thermal power plant. All those
projects, in the Minister's words, will be implemented in next two years, reported IA Regnum.
