2 minute read
Armenia has potential alternative sources of natural gas imports, and current consumer tariffs will remain unchanged until early 2027 even if the price of Russian gas rises, the head of the country’s energy regulator said on Thursday.
According to Mesrop Mesropyan, Chairman of Armenia’s Public Services Regulatory Commission, even if the price of Russian natural gas supplied to Armenia increases, current consumer tariffs will remain in effect until the beginning of 2027.
“There are alternatives in the region—from Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, and Iran. Naturally, we would purchase gas from any country that sells it and from which existing infrastructure allows us to import it,” Mesropyan said at a press briefing in parliament.
He noted that around 30–35% of Armenia’s electricity is generated by thermal power plants, meaning that any increase in gas prices would have a negative impact on electricity tariffs.
“The existence of solar power plants alone helps ensure that we do not face the severe energy crisis experienced in the 1990s. Investments in energy storage facilities will also help mitigate these challenges,” he added.