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Nuclear Power in Armenia

Nuclear is not the most widespread type of power in Armenia, but it is actually the most significant one. There are some institutions that are engaged in conduction of researches in sphere of nuclear physics . One of them is Yerevan Institute of Physics and the other is The Analitsark Research Facility in Gyumri. The Only example of Nuclear Power in Armenia is the power plant located in Metsamor. According to a 2009 USAID report, the plant is aging and dangerous, as it lies on very unstable lands, where there is a high probability for earthquakes. It was created in 1976 and is the only Nuclear Power Plant in the South Caucasus. It satisfies 40 percent of Armenia’s electricity needs. The capacity of both of its 2 units is 408 MW. Only one unit is operational now as the second was shut down after the earthquake in Spitak in 1988, which was never reopened. But, there are plans for it to be replaced by a new reactor with 1060 MW capacity in 2026.

Renewable Energy Power

Armenia does not have huge resources of coal, gas and oil, but by scientists it has future in the sphere of renewable energy. Thus the government of Armenia is promoting programs related to renewable energy.According to the report of Danish Management Group Armenia has big potential.

Technology Types	PV	Wind	Geothermal	Small Hydro	Solar Thermal	Heat Pumps	Biofuel
Capacity	>1000 MW	300-500 MW	25 MW	250-300 MW	>1000 MW	>1000 MW	100 Thousand tons/year

Bio Energy sphere seems to gradually develop in Armenia. There are three rudimentary branches of Bio Energy: Biofuel, Biomass and Biogas. Many scientists see future of renewable energy of Armenia in it. The first is Biofuel. As is accepted worldwide, the substantial sources of bio-ethanol are corn and sugarcane. Through these ingredients, bio ethanol is generated. Even in case of blending it 50-50 with oil, the price will be cheaper than in ordinary cases. Thus the prices of transportation will decrease as well. The weather in Armenia is not appropriate for sugarcane, so the Jerusalem artichoke is considered to replace it. Moreover, the high concentration of carbohydrate makes it better source of bio-ethanol production. Another type of cheap biofuel is created by compressing straw, sawdust and the pods of sunflower in the crusher and afterwards burning the granules gotten from this process. It is feasible to receive 2 cubic meters of gas from burning 1 kilogram of those granules. Scientists think,this will give Armenia opportunity to heat its houses and get electricity not depending on gas pipes and oil.The second one is Biomass. Scientist share the opinion that Armenia has the most energy-diverse market in the Caucasus. The reason is that in addition to gas and electricity used for heating, in many towns and villages people use biomass such as wood and manure. Thus biomass pellets have prospective, as they burn cleaner, hotter and are more conventional.The last branch of Bio Energy is Biogas.Biogas yielded from manure can be a good source for generating heat and electricity. An instance of this in Armenia, is Lusakert Biogas Plant in Nor Geghi, Kotayk Marz. It was built in 2008, and is still working properly with nominal capacity of 0.85 MW. After being built, the power plant won National Energy Globe Award.

Wind is one of the rare means of getting energy in Armenia. In any case, it can be profitable for Armenia.According to the researchers conducted by NREL in 2003, the wind energy potential is near 450 MW. The first Wind Power Plant started operating in December 2005. It was a power plant with total capacity of 2.6 MW built in Puskin pass. This wind farm includes four 660 KW wind turbines in it.The most perspective areas for wind power plants are Zod pass, Bazum Mountain, Jajur pass, territory of Geghama Mountains, Sevan Pass, Aparan, highlands between Sisian and Goris and the region of Meghri.

Solar energy potential in Armenia is 1000 MW according to researches . The reason is in average solar radiation which is near 1700 KWh/m2 annually.This technology of getting energy from sun is used only by some companies, and has no wide use among citizens of Armenia. One of the well-known utilization examples is AUA(American University of Armenia) which uses it not only for electricity generation but also for water heating. The government of Armenia is promoting utilization of solar energy. Hence in 2017 the government of Armenia will announce an international tender for building a 50 MW solar power plant. It will be located near the village Masrik, Gegharkunik province.

Hydro power plants give the 70 percent of Armenia’s renewable energy and 33 percent of the country’s overall energy.They take a huge part of energy sector of country. There are 3 major power plants operating now: Sevan-Hrazdan Cascade, Vorotan Cascade and Dzora HPP. The hydropower potential of Armenia is reported to be 21.8 billion KWh. It will turn from potential to reality in case of working Sevan-Hrazdan HPPs Cascade, Vorotan HPPs Cascade, construction of three new major HPPs and utilization of small HPPs. There are also 115 small working HPPs in Armenia and 3 HPPs that are planned to be built: Meghri HPP, Shnogh HPP and Loriberd HPP.

Geothermal energy is not on the highest level in the energy sector of Armenia. The most significant achievement in this sphere will be the construction of new 150 MW Jermaghbyur Geothermal Power Plant which will be located in the Syunik Province. It will be the biggest geothermal power plant in Armenia.