The 3 gas agreements on 20% government share of “ARG” with Russia, which the opposition MPs qualified as a betrayal and loss of national security, dignity and statehood, the community still not completely digesting this deals, the government sold another strategic object of energy: “Vorotan” HPP Complex. Selling Vorotan to Americans, the government proudly announced that it is the biggest deal in the region that was sold for 180 million dollars, and that still 70 million dollars will be invested, and this is presented in a way that it seems to be an unprecedented profitable deal for Armenia.
Did the sale of the strategic object and being deprived of energy independence worth the money? “In my opinion, it did not worth,” said Hrant Bagratyan, NA MP, the former Prime Minister of Armenia, in the conversation with Aravot.am. “There are different ways of calculating the price.”Vorotan” has 450 megawatts, cheap electricity. 450 MW, 3 HPP and to build 3 reservoirs require at least 1 billion dollars. As for the 70 million dollar investment, even without it, the Cascade would make the same investment on the account of profits and depreciation.”
As for the so-called “the deal of the century,” Mr. Bagratyan raised a few questions. With regard to “Vorotan”, we are concerned about the sale price – 180 million dollars, that the money has not entered the budget, it will be disposed by “Vorotan” HPP, and the fact that after the sale of the property, the old financial liabilities over “Vorotan” HPP are gone. Thus, the sale of the huge and very popular economic complex will give nothing to us. In addition, we are concerned about whether or not this object will not be resold at a higher price. The government has one argument: the value of the deal is that there is a diversification; these powers have nothing to do with Russians. I do not understand if this is the problem, reject Russians too. Ultimately, we are a sovereign state.”
Recently, the “appetite” of different change of regime forces has grown up, both, the opposition and worriers of freedom are talking about regime change. In case of regime change, it would be possible to return the strategic objects to Armenia, or, for example, we lost “Vorotan” forever, or at least to make amendments in gas agreements for the benefit of Armenia, in response to these questions, Mr. Bagratyan said, “Nothing will be returned. I would not use the words of losing forever. But we need to think about the new energy based on the sun and the wind. As for the amendments in gas agreements, I do not know.”
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In other words, even in case of having new government, Armenia is unlikely to have energy independence for at least 3 decades.
To remind that on January 29, the Government of Armenia and ContourGlobal Hydro Cascade signed a sale and purchase agreement on the sale of Vorotan HPP complex. According to the deal, the American company is obliged to invest 70 million dollars over the next 6 years in a refurbishment program to modernize the plants. The investment will be made in accordance with the previously submitted capital investment and expenditure plan, which will be discussed and agreed upon with the Public Services Regulatory Commission. The latter has also confirmed the Tariff Plan, according to which, the company will dispose and operate “Vorotan” HPP complex for 25 years.
Nelly BABAYAN
