PSRC raises electricity tariffs amid public protests July 1, 2014 - 15:09 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenia’s Public Services Regulatory Commission (PSRC) raised the electricity tariffs at its meeting on Tuesday, July 1, ARKA reported. In particular, tariffs for electricity supplies by the Electric Networks of Armenia were set at AMD 41.85 per kilowatt-hour in the daytime (from 7:00 to 23:00), up from current AMD 38, and AMD 31.85 per kilowatt-hour at nights, up from current AMD 28. The decision comes into effect on August 1, 2014. The opposition forces present at the meeting urged the commission to put off the final decision to seek additional resources to fill up the financial gap. Yet, the head of the commission Robert Nazaryan said they studied the opportunities thoroughly and found no additional option. However, he added, if such opportunities arise, the commission is ready to review its decision before August 1. Scores of civil activists gathered near the PSRC office in Yerevan on Tuesday, protesting against the price hike. Police officers cordoned off the area, preventing protesters from approaching the building. According to preliminary assessments by the commission, additional AMD 20 billion are required for energy enterprises to ensure financial stability, reliable and safe power supply. Electricity tariffs are expected to be raised for all customer groups from AMD 3.8 to 4.3 per kwt-hour for to fill in the financial gap. Top stories The number of state universities will be reduced from 23 to 8 by 2030, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan has said. From September 21 to November 11, a total of 2,820 Russians registered at a place of residence in Armenia, the police has said. The situation on the contact line between Karabakh and Azerbaijan was relatively stable overnight, the Defense Army says. Defense Minister Suren Papikyan has visited the southern Armenian province of Syunik, the Defense Ministry reported on March 18. Partner news | Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. |