Armenia’s prospects for energy independence

In this episode of the Civilnet podcast, Patrick Elliott speaks with Astghine Pasoyan of Armenia's Energy Saving Foundation regarding the country's energy sector. They discuss Armenia's overreliance on Russia for power and its ambitious plans to increase adoption of renewable resources like solar and wind. Listeners will gain valuable insight into Armenia's strategies to bolster energy security and transition to greener solutions.

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[aterjanian]

Thank you for a very informative interview on a vital topic concerning the survival of our Nation. Astghine Pasoyan is a competent level-headed economist and she explained the situation clearly in layman's terms for us all to understand. Mr Elliott, please bring more people like her.

[NTPSL]

Great interview! I’d love my family in Armenia to understand it, please consider having an Armenian translation. Thank you!!!

[jacobya]

Very interesting discussion about energy policy thank you for this informative and helpful video 🙏

[dejanpopovic]

What about subsidizing the individual households for installing home solar systems with adequate storage capacities? From somewhere it has to start.

[almanac]

Thanks Patrick. One of the best interviews so far.

[zabugorsk]

Price hike and subsidies for the poor is one way. Raising funds, debt or equity, is another. Armenia Energy PLC is what we need.

[The.Ancient..]

The best option is investing in geothermal power plants, upgrading current hydro power dams (more efficient turbines) and installing small modular nuclear reactors (SMR) around Armenia. As mentioned by the guest, building renewable energy facilities in Armenia won't see any return due to the low cost of gas imported from Russia, there is also the problem of operating life which is low for renewable s like solar, give or take 15 to 20 years.

[vagramvardanyan]

Iran wont be running out of gas anytimr soon they have the 2nd largest reserves in the world

[arinangel_]

Interesting discussion - but as an electrical engineer in solar I can say (1) base load power is a non-sense argument, use batteries, it’s far cheaper than thermal, global LCOE of solar with transmission and storage is lower than thermal (2) energy efficiency is the real killer, we have that problem in Australia, zero thermal insulation and the induced financial burden is horrendous - building codes should be heavily updated and regulated (3) nuclear is necessary for Armenia for political independence not energy independence (4) please stop perpetuating the myth that state-owned assets are inefficient compared to private and that they don’t integrate well with the “free” market - get real. STATOIL? EQUINOR? That position is pure Thatcherite indoctrination. Further, the oil market and the electricity markets are cartels (OPEC, AEMO, etc.), government simulated auction houses of fully-cooperating monopolies. You can’t have a free market when you have ONE physical cable feeding power to your home.

[maksudabb]

Ruin relations with neighbors, remain on the sidelines of regional projects and suffer. This is your lot.

[adobo]

Unless Armenia opens all its borders there is no markets for additional investment returns in any sector.