Important agreement on hydropower development in Armenia
Norsk Energi granted funding for hydropower development program in Armenia.
The Norwegian consultant company Norsk Energi has been granted seven million NOK from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for capacity building on sustainable small hydro power development in Armenia. Norsk Energi is leading a consortium of four companies in the project which will have a duration of three years.
“This is recognition of Norsk Energi’s work in Armenia over the past years, both our competence on Armenia as a country and our work related to management of wide reaching programs on capacity building and technical assistance”, the Norwegian project leader in Armenia, Ann Iren Glimsdal in Norsk Energi states.
“The project concept, developed by Norsk Energi and partners in collaboration with a wide range of local stakeholders, includes capacity building in project-development, modern technology and environmental protection. In addition, transparency, participation of civil society and increased international cooperation is important”, she explains.
International network
In addition to Norsk Energi four other companies participate in the cooperation-project in Armenia: the Armenian company Hydroenergetica, Sweco, Gauldal Consult, and International Centre for Hydropower (ICH), which is located at the technical university NTNU in Trondheim, Norway.
Norsk Energi has an international network of contacts within the area of finance, energy, environment and climate which is important for projects of this character. Norway has a special place in Armenia’s history because of Fritjof Nansen's efforts to help refugees and famine victims in the country after the First World War and the revolution in Russia. Nansen is a well-known Norwegian explorer and scientist.
Hydropower important
“Armenia gives priority to energy efficiency and small-scale hydropower plants, plants below 10 MW. Armenia aims to build 265 MW of small-scale hydropower by 2025, which is a very ambitious goal”, Glimsdal says.
“The purpose is to ensure the country with more clean power, greater independence in the energy sector and increased economic growth”, she adds. Glimsdal has been traveling extensively in Armenia and South Caucasus in recent years.
Energy Act amended
“Many existing small hydro power plants in Armenia run at reduced capacity and will be upgraded. Importantly, the government in Armenia has amended the Energy Act, so that 100 percent of the power from new small hydro power plants will be purchased at an agreed price for a period of at least 15 years”, Glimsdal continues.
“This system has initiated a construction boom for hydropower over the past two years, in line with the government’s targets. But the rapid sector development has not been only positive. There is now a growing opposition to the development, due to concerns for the environment and some disagreements related to water usage.
System of training
“The agreement with the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs enables us to work together with the authorities in Armenia on important aspects related to the development of the sector. The focus will be on environmental and social aspects of hydropower, including procedures for environmental and social impact assessment and efficient use of resources. The project will look into the possibilities of setting up a permanent facility in Armenia, that will support public and private sector with training activities related to sustainable hydropower development”, she says.
“We have also established a working group consisting of several ministries and representatives from environmental organizations. The group will assess how environmental aspects and public participation in hydropower projects can be safeguarded. This work is important to ensure efficient use of resources and environmental integrity of projects”, Glimsdal concludes.
To the frontpage
Cooperation project group in Armenia: from left, Dr. Gabayan in the Armenian company Hydroenergetica with Ann Iren Glimsdal and Eun Joo Yie from Norsk Energi in Oslo. Training of engineers in Armenia is a key element in the cooperation between Norway and Armenia that will continue for at least three years.
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