ArmInfo. It is a matter of concern that the Armenian government has not yet fulfilled its obligations to prepare a contract with the Italian company Renco for the construction of a new thermal power unit. This was announced by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan at a government meeting on June 1.
According to him, the government of the country is making efforts to form an attractive investment environment, at the same time, the new investment project is being hampered for some reason. "10 years ago I met with the management of the company Renco, and it turned out that there were problems in the implementation of the program," said Nikol Pashinyan.
In response, RA Minister of Justice Artak Zeynalyan said that the agreement with Renco is in the process of discussion. As the minister noted, discussions are held with the company's management and the Ministry of Energy Infrastructures and Natural Resources of the Republic of Armenia on this project. Since the contract is voluminous, it includes 250 pages, and is presented in English, there is a need for its expertise, what is currently being done by the Institute of Energy. In his turn, the Minister of Energy Infrastructures and Natural Resources of the Republic of Armenia Artur Grigoryan informed that in three months it is planned to begin construction of the block, which will last 25 months. The state, according to the draft agreement, undertakes to purchase surplus electricity within 20 years, since the bulk will be exported. In response, Nikol Pashinyan urged to speed up the solution of the problem. "If we say yes to the project, we should quickly say yes, if no, then no," the prime minister said.
Earlier, ArmInfo informed that the Italian company Renco will invest about $ 250 million to build the second power unit of the Yerevan combined-cycle gas-cycle power plant (EECPG) in Armenia with a capacity of 250 mW. Moreover, the ceremony of laying the capsule was held on March 20 this year. On the territory adjoining Yerevan EES, where construction will begin. The program will create about 900 temporary jobs, and from the time of operation - 200 permanent and highly paid. The best effective technologies will be used in the construction, and the efficiency will be 53%, while this indicator of the Hrazdan power unit is equal to 44%, Yerevan Thermal Power Plant - 49%.
Most of the electricity produced on the block will be exported via the Iran-Armenia-Georgia power line being constructed, which will be commissioned in 2019. The state undertakes to purchase surplus electricity produced by the unit within a period of 20 years at a price of 6 US cents excluding VAT. Earlier, the general director of the Renco group Giovanni Roubini noted that part of the financing will be provided at the expense of the company's own funds, and the second part through the involvement of international banks, which, he said, are very enthusiastic about the project, which, according to the investor, speaks of their trust in the company, the project and Armenia. Recall that the company RENCO has been working in the Armenian market since the late 90s, carrying out the construction of large facilities, including two hotels - Congress and Golden Tulip Yerevan, the Italian Embassy in Armenia, as well as a residential complex and the first underground garage under one from the central squares of Yerevan.