The Iranian side has not yet submitted proposals on an acceptable price for gas. The Deputy Minister of Energy Infrastructures and Natural Resources Hayk Harutyunyan said at a press conference in Yerevan on February 13.
Recently the Iranian Ambassador to Armenia Seyyed Qazem Sajjadi announced the desire of the Iranian side to start commercial gas supplies to Armenia. “Here the question rests on the price. On the Iranian side, there have so far been no proposals for a more affordable price for gas than gas coming from Russia. When a more competitive price is obtained, then the issue will be discussed” the deputy minister stressed.
Recall that for the second year, Armenia has been importing 1,000 cubic meters of Russian gas at a price of $ 150.
Harutyunyan also said that “the Iranian side constantly declares its readiness to increase the volume of its gas exports to Armenia.”
According to the deputy minister, Iran is supplying gas to Armenia within the framework of the gas-for-electricity transaction at a rate of 1 cubic meter of gas in exchange for 3 kW / h of electricity. Within the framework of this program, as the deputy minister believes, there are no restrictions. Only in January this year, the volume of electricity supplies to Iran in exchange for gas increased by 104%.
In 2017, 382.7 mn m3 of gas were delivered from Iran, of which 1.996 bcm from Russia. At the same time, the volume of gas supplies from Russia increased by 7% last year, and from Iran – by 2.9%.