Renewable Energy Development and Energy Security in Armenia

Abstract

Overly dependent on Russian gas imports and an aging nuclear power plant, lacking domestic hydrocarbon resources and excluded from regional oil and gas projects, the development of indigenous renewable resources will play a key role in bolstering Armenia’s energy security in general and limiting reliance on Russia in particular. The country has significant renewable energy potential and has committed to increasing the share of renewables in the energy mix to 26% by 2025. The implementation of renewable energy projects has been slow, however, with prohibitive installation costs and a continued emphasis on nuclear power stymying government investment in resource development. Yerevan has consequently sought to cooperate with both private investors and external political actors to realise its renewables agenda. This paper will explore the contribution of renewable energy to Armenian energy security, focusing in particular on the opportunities made available by and consequences of cooperation with external actors on renewable energy initiatives.