Armenian ecologists stand for alternative energyMay 17, 2011 - 17:16 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Head of Ecological Academy NGO Greta Gabrielyan said Armenia needs to develop alternative types of energy, specifically solar energy, instead of constructing a new nuclear unit of the Armenian nuclear power plant (NPP). “There are favorable conditions for the development of solar energy in Armenia,” Gabrielyan told journalists on May 17 during public hearings on construction of the new nuclear unit of the Armenian NPP. The funds needed for NPP’s closure, as well as prevention of environment pollution should be considered in cost calculation of various types of energy. If they are taken into consideration, nuclear energy is much more expensive, according to Gabrielyan. She noted that the annual flow of solar energy makes 1700 kilowatts/h per square meter in Armenia, while the average European index makes 1000 kilowatt/h per square meter. Besides, Gabrielyan noted that a trend of nuclear energy rejection and transfer to alternative energy is observed in the world, while Armenia should also follow this example. The public hearings were held by the Armenian Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources and Metsamorenergoatom CJSC jointly with the Ministry of Nature Protection and Armavir Mayor’s Office. 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 | 41 detained as antigovernment protests continue in Yerevan 41 people were detained in Yerevan as people demanding Pashinian’s resignation stage campaigns of civil disobedience. Armenia votes for UN resolution granting Palestine new rights The U.N. General Assembly voted by a wide margin on May 10 to grant new “rights and privileges” to Palestine. Second round of Armenia-Azerbaijan talks set for May 11 The second round of negotiations between the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan will take place on May 11. About 32,000 rally in Yerevan to deman Pashinyan’s resignation About 31,700 people attended an opposition rally on Thursday, May 9 in Yerevan demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. |