Armenia negotiates with Elon Musk’s Tesla for energy storage battery project

YEREVAN, APRIL 5, ARMENPRESS. Simultaneously with the enhancement of electricity production volumes with solar power stations, Armenia eyes establishment of accumulative stations (batteries).

Hayk Harutyunyan, deputy minister of energy infrastructures and natural resources, told ARMENPRESS that they want to build the first 14 MW / h energy storage accumulator battery by 2020 in Ddmashen, Gegharkunik province.

“The battery stations are necessary not only for renewable energy, but also for our base capacities. We aim at the maximally efficient use of our base capacities”, he said.

The ministry is currently discussing approaches of the construction of the stations.

Harutyunyan said they are also discussing the possibility of hydro-accumulation stations – taking into account the hydro-energy resource of Armenia.

Armenia is also negotiating with Tesla on the sidelines of the battery project.

Tesla, Inc.(formerlyTesla Motors) is anAmericancompany that specializes inelectric vehicles,energy storageandsolar panel manufacturingbased inPalo Alto, California.Founded in 2003, the company specializes inelectric cars,lithium-ion batteryenergy storage, and residentialphotovoltaic panels(through the subsidiary companySolarCity). The additional products Tesla sells include theTesla PowerwallandPowerpackbatteries,solar panels andsolar roof tiles.

Elon Reeve Muskis a South African-born Canadian Americanbusiness magnate,investor,andengineer.He is the founder,CEO, and lead designer ofSpaceX;co-founder, CEO, and product architect ofTesla, Inc.; and co-founder and CEO ofNeuralink. In December 2016, he was ranked 21st on theForbeslist ofThe World's Most Powerful People.As of February2018, he has a net worth of $20.8 billion and is listed byForbes as the53rd richest person in the world.

English –translator/editor: Stepan Kocharyan