Chairman of Public Services Regulatory Commission (PSRC) allowed for an increase in electricity tariffs if gas prices for Armenia rise
20.05.2026,
09:25
A possible increase in the gas tariff for Armenia could also lead to an increase in the electricity tariff in the country, stated Mesrop Mesropyan, Chairman of the Public Services Regulatory Commission (PSRC).
YEREVAN, May 20. /ARKA/. A possible increase in the gas tariff for Armenia could also lead to an increase in the electricity tariff in the country, stated Mesrop Mesropyan, Chairman of the Public Services Regulatory Commission (PSRC).
"It is important to consider that 30-35% of the electricity produced in the country is generated by thermal power plants that run on gas. Therefore, such a negative change could also lead to an increase in the electricity tariff," Mesropyan noted at a briefing on Tuesday.
At the same time, he stated that a possible increase in the gas tariff would not be a surprise for the country.
According to Mesropyan, even if this happens, Armenia will not face a severe energy crisis similar to the one the country experienced in 1992-1994, when rolling blackouts occurred.
He noted that science and technology have advanced significantly in recent years, and renewable energy and solar power plants are actively developing in Armenia.
"Therefore, we will be far from the situation we experienced during that period. But everything has a price, and if gas prices increase, we will have to take this reality into account," Mesropyan said.
Earlier, on April 1 in Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin told Pashinyan that Russian gas is cheaper for Armenia than the same fuel in Europe. He stated that gas prices in Europe today "have soared beyond $600 per thousand cubic meters, while Russia sells gas to Armenia for $177.5 per thousand cubic meters."
On April 9, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, commenting on the possible increase in the price of Russian natural gas for Armenia, stated that Armenia and Russia have long-term contracts and that they will not be violated.
About Russian Gas for Armenia
Gazprom-Armenia CJSC is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Russian holding Gazprom and the monopoly supplier of natural gas from Russia to Armenia for domestic consumption. Gas supplies are transited through Georgia; the price of Russian gas at the border is $165 per 1,000 cubic meters.
In Armenia, the company also transports, stores, distributes, and markets gas, as well as reconstructs and expands the gas transmission system and underground gas storage facilities.
"It is important to consider that 30-35% of the electricity produced in the country is generated by thermal power plants that run on gas. Therefore, such a negative change could also lead to an increase in the electricity tariff," Mesropyan noted at a briefing on Tuesday.
At the same time, he stated that a possible increase in the gas tariff would not be a surprise for the country.
According to Mesropyan, even if this happens, Armenia will not face a severe energy crisis similar to the one the country experienced in 1992-1994, when rolling blackouts occurred.
He noted that science and technology have advanced significantly in recent years, and renewable energy and solar power plants are actively developing in Armenia.
"Therefore, we will be far from the situation we experienced during that period. But everything has a price, and if gas prices increase, we will have to take this reality into account," Mesropyan said.
Earlier, on April 1 in Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin told Pashinyan that Russian gas is cheaper for Armenia than the same fuel in Europe. He stated that gas prices in Europe today "have soared beyond $600 per thousand cubic meters, while Russia sells gas to Armenia for $177.5 per thousand cubic meters."
On April 9, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, commenting on the possible increase in the price of Russian natural gas for Armenia, stated that Armenia and Russia have long-term contracts and that they will not be violated.
About Russian Gas for Armenia
Gazprom-Armenia CJSC is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Russian holding Gazprom and the monopoly supplier of natural gas from Russia to Armenia for domestic consumption. Gas supplies are transited through Georgia; the price of Russian gas at the border is $165 per 1,000 cubic meters.
In Armenia, the company also transports, stores, distributes, and markets gas, as well as reconstructs and expands the gas transmission system and underground gas storage facilities.
