Political factors prevent the export of electric power to Turkey, RA Minister of Energy Armen Movsisyan told a press conference on July 14. He pointed out Armenia’s serious technical potential.

The Minister said Armenia initially agreed to export 1.5bn kwh of electric energy. The modernization of the Yerevan and Hrazdan thermal power plants increased this potential. “Turkey has political problems, which are an obstacle to energy export. We, as well as our partners, hope that political obstacles will be removed and energy supply will become reality,” Movsisyan said. He said Turkey is technically ready for importing electric energy.

An agreement on the supply of Armenian energy to Turkey was reached during Turkish President Abdullah Gul’s visit to Yerevan at the invitation of RA President Serzh Sargsyan. On September 4, 2008, the RA Ministry of Energy, High-Voltage Network Company and the Belgian UNIT Company – the importer and distributor of electric energy in Turkey - signed a relevant agreement. The energy price was U.S. $57 for 1MW.