Armenia exempts import of PV components from customs duties

Share

The Republic of Armenia Ministry of Economic Development and Investment announced it has exempted solar project developers from paying customs duties on the import of PV components.

According to Armenian state owned press agency Armenpress, the first company that has been granted the exemption is Investment Media Group (IMG), which is planning to invest approximately AMD 287 million (around $600,000) in the development of a solar installation at an unspecified location in Armenia. The measure, the government said, is part of the country’s $58 million solar program which was launched in 2015.

The six-year program is directed by the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Foundation, a non-governmental organization whose mission is to facilitate investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy in Armenia. The scheme is also supported by the Climate Investment Funds, the Armenian Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, the World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank.

Under the program, Armenia’s Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources is currently supporting PV projects up to 1 MW through a FIT scheme and residential and commercial solar up to 150 kW through net-metering.

Popular content

The FIT applies to PV projects ranging in size from 150 kW up to 1 MW. The tariff for these projects would be equal to those of wind energy, which is of AMD 42.645 ($0.09)/kWh without VAT.

On the top of this, the Armenian government is also planning to support the development of larger PV projects. In mid-April, the Ministry of Energy created an ad hoc committee to support the development of utility-scale PV projects across the country. Overall, the government expects this initiative will lead to the construction of six solar facilities with a combined capacity of 110 MW. The first project is expected to have a capacity of 55 MW and to be built in Masrik, Gegharkunik province, in the eastern part of Armenia.

This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: editors@pv-magazine.com.