YEREVAN, APRIL 27, ARMENPRESS. 10 new small hydropower plants are being constructed in Artsakh, Bella Petrosyan – Head of Economic Development Policy Department at Artsakh’s Ministry of Economy, told Armenpress.

She said currently the construction works are underway.

“The annual electricity production volume of the ten hydropower plants will comprise over 270 million kW/h. The construction program of small hydropower plants is firstly important in terms of ensuring Artsakh’s energy security. Today we can already state that thanks to the implementation of such programs we reach a threshold of self-sufficiency. Increasing the electricity production volumes enables to be more independent in terms of running tariff policy”, Bella Petrosyan said. In addition to this, the role of energy has been increased in the GDP, and therefore, in terms of providing jobs and paying taxes.

As for the environmental problems, Petrosyan said each program of hydropower plant construction passes the procedures set by the law and is in constant control.

Bella Petrosyan attached also importance to investments being made in the hydropower plant construction program. In particular, it is expected to make over 25 billion AMD investments for the construction of 10 small hydropower plants. The program implementation proposes creation of more than 120 jobs.