YEREVAN.- Armenia may increase the level of energy produced by renewable sources 5 times by 2020, said director of Renewable Energy Fund Tamara Babayan.

For the first time in Armenia a program-guideline for development of renewable energy was elaborated with the participation of experts from Armenia and Europe.

According to Babayan, small hydro power projects, solar water heaters, wind mills and heat pumps, will have great potential in the near future.  

Construction of small hydropower plants has been launched in Armenia since 2004. Overall 130 licenses were given for the construction of small hydropower plants.

The program indicates development of renewable energy is hampered by difficulties in obtaining permissions, as well as lack of tax concessions.