Armenia extends Hrazdan-5 thermal power plant licence by one year

Armenia's Public Services Regulatory Commission (PSRC) has extended Gazprom Armenia's licence to operate the Hrazdan-5 thermal power plant until August 13, 2027, the regulator has said.

It noted that the decision was approved unanimously at a meeting chaired by PSRC Chairman Mesrop Mesropyan after no objections were raised to the application, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

"At the meeting held on August 5 under the chairmanship of PSRC Chairman Mesrop Mesropyan, the commission considered the issue of extending the licence for thermal energy production at the Hrazdan-5 plant granted to Gazprom Armenia CJSC. No objections to the application were submitted, and the draft decision discussed at the meeting was adopted unanimously," the commission added.

The fifth generating unit of the Hrazdan thermal power plant was commissioned using investments from Gazprom PJSC and is owned by Gazprom Armenia.

Under an agreement between the Armenian and Russian governments, Armenia committed to reimbursing those investments.

To ensure the stable operation of the Hrazdan-5 plant, the Armenian government has agreed to provide Gazprom Armenia with $31.79 million annually for 10 years, starting on February 1, 2022.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov