The energy sector is among the keystones of Armenian-German cooperation, Ambassador Matthias Kiesler said today, highlighting the priorities of joint projects.
Speaking at a workshop organized for beneficiaries of a renewable energy loan program, the diplomat said his country has already allocated €150 million of which €50 million was spent on the renovation of the Vorotan Hydro Cascade’s electric power stations.
“We provide money also for retraining courses, so our meeting today is part of those activities. Apart from the energy power project – which has attracted €170 million – we also assist in the regional electric network improvement efforts. To do that we need also legislative regulations and acts,” he said, stressing also the importance of having effectively functioning networks.
The ambassador also called for stepping up the solar power production and evaluating the renewable power sources’ environmental impact.
“It is important for the key actors in the sector to properly understand renewable energy’s environmental impact to reduce it to a minimum,” he added.
Mr Kiesler, who is an electrical engineer by profession, said his country is now embarking on the production of non-traditional energy sources.
“I think that a gradual transition to renewable energy will be very useful for Armenia too. Renewable energy, particularly solar power, is considerably cheaper today, so it can be competitive with the traditional sources. For a country which has the [Metsamor] Nuclear Power Plant, as well as natural gas-powered stations as the key energy producers, it is very important to diversify the energy sources to supplement them with renewable power. That will help Armenia ensure the energy security in the country, as well as reduce the greenhouse gases’ export,” he added.