How much wind power does Armenia have?

A 2003 study by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) estimated Armenia’s land areas with “good-to-excellent” wind resource potential to be around 1,000 km². With a conservative assumption of 5 MW per km², the authors noted that the area could support almost 5,000 MW of potential installed capacity.

Is geothermal energy viable in Armenia?

The geothermal energy potential of Armenia is significant, but is not considered economically viable, at least for now. The World Bank has estimated the total potential at around 150 MW. The Karkar site in Syunik, for instance, has an estimated capacity of 28 MW with a construction cost of nearly $100 million, far pricier than solar.

What is Armenia's long-term energy strategy?

In its long-term strategy (up to 2040) for the energy sector, adopted in January 2021, the Armenian government identified the maximum utilization of renewable energy potential as a priority.

How much electricity does Armenia produce a year?

Last year Armenia produced 8,907.9 GWh of electricity, up 16% from 2021. The vast majority came from thermal power plants in Yerevan and Hrazdan (43.5%) and the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant (32%). Hydropower accounted for 21.8%, while solar stood at 2.7% and wind power at just 0.02%.

Why is Armenia not able to produce small turbines?

According to a study commissioned by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, Armenia’s roads, including fluctuations in elevation, make them problematic and unsuitable for transporting large turbines (generating 1.5 to 3 MW) and blades (up to 52 meters long). There are ongoing attempts to set up domestic production of small turbines.