Yerevan welcomes its first solar-powered bus stops

PanARMENIAN.Net - Yerevan has taken another major step towards solar-energised future. On Friday, July 7, Head of the European Union Delegation, EU Ambassador to Armenia Piotr Świtalski tested the city’s first solar-powered bus stop within the EU Energy Days 2017.

The Delegation of the European Union to Armenia has initiated the installation of solar panels at two bus stops of Yerevan to promote the use of renewable energy in the country. Situated on Moskovyan and Baghramyan streets, the bus stops will enable residents and visitors of Yerevan to charge their cell-phones and other digital gadgets with free solar energy. Each solar powered bus stop can fully charge up to 24 phones daily. The charging duration depends on the brand and technical specifications of the gadgets.

The EU Ambassador to Armenia Piotr Świtalski commented on the EU Energy Days in Armenia, "The energy sector in Armenia is and will continue to be a key priority for the EU for the coming years; it responds to one of the main constraints for economic growth and raises the living conditions of many Armenians in the regions as well as it helps to strengthen energy independence."

The European Union has extended long-term assistance to increasing Armenia’s energy efficiency locally, regionally and nationally.

An important milestone for Armenia was joining the Eastern Europe Energy Efficiency and Environment Partnership (E5P) agreement in March, 2016. The agreement signed with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) with a contribution of €10 million to E5P, enables Armenia to access grant funds of €20 million. The funds are projected for priority municipal energy efficiency and environmental projects, such as rehabilitation of water and waste water systems, solid waste management, street lighting and the insulation of public buildings.