Unblocking to neutralize 40% of energy risks, says Armenian Deputy PM

From the perspective of ensuring Armenia’s energy security, the unblocking of regional transit routes carries paramount importance, Deputy PM Mher Grigoryan has said.

Speaking at a discussion within the framework of the Armenia-EU civil society platform, Grigoryan noted that the primary challenge in developing the energy system is Armenia’s lack of connection to global energy transmission networks.

“If we are not connected, we remain confined to local production and consumption, which is very expensive. For example, solar energy must either be used through a global grid or stored in accumulators, which have a significant impact on prices and create environmental problems, particularly during disposal at the end of their service life,” he said.

The Deputy Prime Minister also mentioned that operating a nuclear power plant efficiently under conditions of low consumption and closed borders poses issues from both cost and security standpoints.

“The cost price may be excellent, but turning a nuclear plant on and off, by its nature, requires substantial resources and is subject to strict safety protocols,” Grigoryan stated.

He said that the issue of unblocking should also be placed on the agenda of civil society, as it is directly linked to avoiding energy risks.

“If we talk about energy risks, we must keep the unblocking topic in focus, because it is the first and most important step that neutralizes 40% of those risks,” the Deputy Prime Minister stressed.