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| Fig. 1: Aerial view of the Metsamor Plant. (Source: Wikimedia Commons) |
At its core, Armenia's energy landscape is characterized by a mix of hydrocarbon and nuclear energy sources, with gradual progress being made with renewable energy. The Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant, pictured in Fig. 1, produces 34.5% of the nation's electricity alone. [1] Understanding the interplay between these components is crucial for evaluating Armenia's current energy strategy and future potential. This report will hone in on the current state of Armenia's hydrocarbon and renewable energy landscape.
Armenia lacks domestic fossil fuel reserves and relies heavily on imports, primarily from Russia, to meet its hydrocarbon needs. Natural gas dominates the country's energy mix, accounting for 59.6% of total energy supply in 2020. [2] The construction of new thermal power plants in Yerevan and Hrazdan has improved efficiency and reduced reliance on older Soviet-era facilities.
Despite these advancements, Armenia's energy security remains vulnerable due to its heavy dependence on imported natural gas. Efforts to diversify suppliers and increase domestic production capacity are ongoing but face geopolitical and economic challenges. In 2022, Armenia imported 2.6 billion cubic meters of natural gas (approximately 9.88 × 1016 joules of energy) from Russia, marking a 6.1% increase from the previous year. [3]
Armenia has made notable progress in expanding its renewable energy capacity, particularly through hydropower and solar energy. Hydropower is the largest renewable contributor, making up 7.1% of Armenia's energy mix in 2020, with significant capacities installed within the Sevan-Hrazdan and Vorotan cascades. Small hydropower plants also contribute substantially to the country's renewable output, with 189 of these small, private HPPs (under 30 MW) laying the foundation for renewable energy in Armenia. [2]
Solar energy has seen rapid growth, with numerous utility-scale solar farms established across the country. In addition to the installation of various low-capacity PV demonstration modules, approval of the Renewable Energy Investment Plan for Armenia allocated resources for the country to develop utility-scale solar PV generation reaching up to 110 MW. As of 2022, a total of approximately 102.8 MW of solar PV installations (reaching up to 5 MW each) were in use. Despite solar power currently accounting for less than 1% of the nations electricity generation, the government aims to further increase renewable capacity as part of its strategy to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and enhance energy security. [2]
Armenia also has an estimated geothermal energy potential of 150 MW, with promising sites identified at Karkar, Jermaghbyur, and Sisian. Exploration efforts have revealed favorable conditions, with high-temperature resources at drillable depths. Efforts at the Jermaghbyur site in particular have revealed the presence of high-pressure hot water at depths of about 2,500 to 3,000 m. This water is estimated to be at a pressure of 20-25 atmospheres and at a temperature of up to 250 degrees Celsius. If confirmed, this data would make it possible for the construction of Armenia's first geothermal power plant in the region. It would likely have a capacity of about 25-MW. Despite challenges such as high investment costs, the Armenian government is actively pursuing geothermal development as part of its strategy to diversify energy sources and enhance energy security. [2]
In conclusion, Armenia's energy sector is currently dominated by a combination of nuclear power and imported hydrocarbons with growing renewable resources. Meeting the country's energy needs while addressing environmental concerns and geopolitical dependencies is certainly a complicated problem for Armenia. Armenia's future energy policies will need to take these aspects into consideration in regards to potential impact on regional stability and sustainability.
© Joshua Barsoian. The author warrants that the work is the author's own and that Stanford University provided no input other than typesetting and referencing guidelines. The author grants permission to copy, distribute and display this work in unaltered form, with attribution to the author, for noncommercial purposes only. All other rights, including commercial rights, are reserved to the author.
[1] F. Nodarse "Nuclear Energy in Armenia," Physics 241, Stanford University, Winter 2022.
[2] "Armenia Energy Profile," International Energy Agency, March 2023.
[3] L. Shahverdyan, "Russia to Revamp Armenia's Nuclear Power Plant," Eurasianet, 21 Dec 23.
