Another important program has been implemented in Tsovak. Another solar photovoltaic station has been installed, this time on the roof of the House of Culture. The operation of the station with an installed capacity of 6.9 kW will allow the building to be supplied with electricity from solar energy. In other words, the efficiency of using electricity will increase, while the cost paid for it will be reduced.
For this village of the Vardenis community in the Gegharkunik region, the introduction of new technologies is important in terms of economic, environmental, and infrastructure development. The saved funds will be spent on solving other problems of the village, and there will be no need for forced idleness due to the severe winter. By the way, the administrative part of the village is located at the same address. The normal operation of the House of Culture is important for any settlement cut off from the capital.
Viva-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian, FPWC Director Ruben Khachatryan, Vardenis Mayor Aharon Khachatryan, project coordinator Martin Maralchyan, and villagers took part in the operation of the solar photovoltaic station.
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“We will get a big advantage, once we learn to understand the Nature and appreciate the resources in our possession, and start to consume them mindfully and in a coordinated manner. Our country has a major chance to get use of the solar energy. In the era of technologies not using them would be a missed opportunity, especially, when it comes to remote villages, where severe winter conditions are common. Therefore, even the seemingly minor program implemented in those settlements is justified from economic perspective. I am happy to state yet another problem has been solved in this far away village. The smallest issue gets huge if it not solved in time, and requires doubled efforts to be fixed. At the core of our program is the attempt to be useful and to avoid damaging nature while using modern technologies. We need that mostly for the coming generations,” Viva-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian said.
With the importance of community development in mind, Viva-MTS and the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC) have implemented several projects in Tsovak over the past 5 years. Thanks to the support of the partners, the old heating methods have not been used in the village kindergarten for more than a year. The 20.4 kW solar photovoltaic station was installed here during a difficult period. Due to the pandemic, the supporters did not visit the kindergarten but made every effort to complete the program so as not to paralyze the work of the kindergarten working for 60 kids.
All three gas heating boilers were replaced by electric ones. The kindergarten building is heated by solar energy and operates all winter.
Summing up the results of years of partnership in Tsovak, Viva-MTS and the FPWC also consider the programs for the implementation of outdoor lighting to save energy. After the collapse of the USSR, a new one was built in the village instead of the worn-out infrastructure. In total, 93 LED floodlights were installed here, and 3300 meters of the road were illuminated. Tsovak has been using the most efficient and durable LED lamps for 5 years, using 80% less electricity.
With the introduction of new technologies, environmental projects have also been implemented in different regions of Armenia.
About the Viva-MTS (MTS Armenia CJSC) is Armenia’s leading telecommunications operator, having the widest network reach and spreading a wide range of Voice and Data services all across Armenia. Having the best of the Armenian people at heart since its launch on 1st July 2005 and in a short period of time Viva-MTS has managed to build a nationwide network and a considerable customer base. Viva-MTS drives innovation and aims at always being at the forefront of any development serving the Armenian mobile communications market. The company follows the guidance provided by ISO 26000 (International Standard of Social Responsibility), ISO/IEC 27001:2013 (Information Security Management System) and ISO 37001 (International anti-bribery management systems standard).
Mobile TeleSystems PJSC (“MTS”) is the leading telecommunications group in Russia and the CIS, offering mobile and fixed voice, broadband, pay TV as well as content and entertainment services in one of the world’s fastest growing regions. Including its subsidiaries, the Group services over 86.5 million mobile subscribers in Russia, Armenia and Belarus. Since June Y2000, MTS’ Level 3 ADRs have been listed on the New York Stock Exchange (ticker symbol MBT). Additional information about the MTS Group can be found at: www.mtsgsm.com
About the FPWC
The Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC) has been operating since 2002. FPWC is a member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
It is our mission to raise public awareness about Armenia’s unique natural heritage, biodiversity conservation, environmental issues, and nature conservation. We aim to reduce the risk of endangered species of flora and fauna by reducing the effects of the wildlife conflict and its aftermath.
Biodiversity conservation, environmental education, community development, and public awareness are at the core of our activities.
