YEREVAN. - Armenia has launched exploration works to construct geothermal power plants, said head of Renewable Resources and Energy Efficiency Fund Tamara Babayan.

She said three areas Dzhermakhpyur (Syunik region), Qaraqar (Syunik region), and Gridzor (Gegharkunik region) are prospective from this viewpoint. Due to the rapid development of relatively new volcanic processes Armenia is considered one of the most promising areas for geothermal energy development.

According to Babayan, Armenia’s geothermal potential is currently estimated at about 30 megawatts.

It is not great capacity but geothermal energy has several advantages over other types of renewable energy. In particular, the thermal energy of the earth is constant, unlike wind and solar power.

In order to use geothermal energy one should drill at least 1-3 km to reach hot rocks. The exploration works are carried out within World Bank’s GeoFund program, which provided $ 1.5 million. However, construction of geothermal power plants should be made at the expense of private investments. According to Babayan, a number of foreign companies are interested in this program.