French investors are interested in solar power investment in the region of Artik city located in northern Armenia, city mayor Arsen Abrahamyan told Armenian News - NEWS.am.

According to him, the first non-commercial solar project in the city fully proved its value. In 2009, World Bank’s Global Environment Facility (GEF) co-funded a cold insulator and solar water heating unit in one of the apartments of the city. Already in 2009-2010, the house residents reduced the use of gas and electricity by 40% and 10% respectively.  In fact, water is used both for heating and household purposes.

The investors saw good natural conditions for the solar energy - considerable number of solar days, high intensity of solar radiation – and think of acquiring large land parcel of about 10 ha or more for the construction of a solar power station, Abrahamyan said.  Together with this, there are plans to construct greenhouses which will work by solar water heating.

“They discussed their plans in our regional administration in [Armenia’s city of] Gyumri. We are waiting for them to come and discuss the details on the ground,” Mayor of Artik said.