Today, the European Union is implementing a number of projects designed to raise the level of energy saving. How do you view the energy issue, especially here in Armenia?

The situation in the three countries in the Southern Caucasus differs. Georgia can export electricity and Azerbaijan, as we all know, is rich in gas and oil. Baku is developing its natural resources for transfer from the Caspian Sea to Europe. Armenia has the least developed electricity resources. You have an atomic power station, but you don’t have comparable natural resources as your neighbors. Thus, Armenia must become more energy efficient.

I believe that there is great potential for this in all three countries, so I don’t place much difference between them in this respect. All three, starting from their local government bodies, can begin to start developing energy savings projects, and we are doing this within the scope of the EU.

Specifically what must Armenia do in terms of energy savings?

I must confess that I haven’t looked at the situation in Armenia. But, I’d say that what has proved successful for other countries can also work here. In most countries, the first thing is that the authorities are focused on what we call the security of supply. In other words, how do we create a sufficient supply of energy, and how so we supply it to our citizens and businesses?

Here, there is another issue. Oftentimes, you must make investments in order to ensure energy savings. The results only appear three or four years down the line. Thus, the investments must be made now for results later on.

But we have a good example in Moldova, even though it isn’t a South Caucasus country. In Kishinev, they improved public buses. Now they have a fleet of low energy consuming vehicles financed with assistance by the ERBD. To cut down on energy consumption, attention must be paid to public transportation, street lights, etc.

Does Armenia have the potential to develop the usage of its water resources as an energy savings tool?

Of course. Using water resources to create energy is a traditional method. This is true especially for the countries that are mainly agricultural, like Armenia. Thus, I believe that the periodic rise in the index of water resource power can also assist savings over the long run. I see that potential.

The only problem with water is that the resources are often shared amongst neighbors. This is true for certain neighbors of yours. Rivers flow across the borders of several countries. You must come to an agreement with your neighbors on the issue of water usage. Otherwise, it can lead to conflict. The main issue is to first conduct serious research to see which water usage method is the most effective.

(Hetq met with Michael A. Köhler at the “Energy Cities"- (European Association of local authorities in energy transition) forum held in Istanbul on November 14-15.)