Epress.am News from Armenia
A new, increased electricity tariff will operate in Armenia beginning August 1, RA Public Services Regulatory Commission (PSRC) Chair Robert Nazaryan (pictured) said today in parliament.
According to him, the increase in the electricity price was inevitable, as otherwise, Electric Networks of Armenia might go bankrupt: it already has suffered damages to the tune of 16 billion 600 million AMD.
"If we had a slight chance, of even 0.5%, we wouldn't take this step. It's hard for us too, to hear different types of remarks addressed to us, to see the indignation of the people. If we are not forced to raise the tariffs, in 2–3 years you would blame us for not ensuring this stability and managing to bring it to this state," he said.
Earlier, the PSRC declared that, according to a preliminary assessment, additional funds of about 20 billion AMD (excluding VAT) are needed for the financial stability of electricity companies; thus, the electricity tarrif has to increase by 10%.
Nazaryan did not rule out the possibility of an additional price increase in 2015.