Is it realistic to get gas from Azerbaijan?
Getting gas supply from Azerbaijan is technically realistic. During the seminar dedicated to Armenia's energy security, Ashot Hakobyan, chairman of the board of Gazprom Armenia, general director, said this while answering the question of Sputnik Armenia: is it possible for Armenia to have gas supply from Azerbaijan?
Getting gas supply from Azerbaijan is technically realistic. During the seminar dedicated to Armenia's energy security, Ashot Hakobyan, chairman of the board of Gazprom Armenia, general director, said this while answering the question of Sputnik Armenia: is it possible for Armenia to have gas supply from Azerbaijan?
"At the time, we had a system of the Soviet Union, which was connected to all countries. We received gas under the auspices of "Gazprom" through the Kazakh-Yerevan gas pipeline from Azerbaijan. It was like that until the 90s. And we received quite serious volumes. Those pipes are still there today," said Hakobyan.
Hakobyan explains the fact that many simply do not imagine this phenomenon: years ago, it also seemed improbable that Armenia would have gas supplies from Iran.
"But when the appropriate environment was created, the deal was also successful, and the gas supply is still there today," he said.
Energy security expert Aram Manvelyan believes that even if the Kazakh-Yerevan gas pipeline is brought back into working condition, Azerbaijan will not be interested in supplying gas to Armenia for purely economic reasons.
"Azerbaijan supplies gas to European countries and Turkey, it has agreements according to which it should increase the export capacity. Azerbaijan even buys gas from Russia for its own needs. Therefore, Azerbaijan does not have excess gas to supply to someone," said the specialist.
Apart from that, there is also the issue of price policy. The price of gas in Europe is much higher, so it is beneficial for Azerbaijan to sell gas to them.
"They give 1000 cubic meters of gas to Turkey for 290-320 dollars. For comparison, we buy from Russia for 165 dollars," added the expert.
By the way, Armenia buys cheap gas from Russia thanks to the interstate agreement. After Belarus, Armenia is the second country paying the lowest price for Russian gas.
To remind, RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan did not rule out during the Second World Armenian Summit that Armenia can also import gas from Azerbaijan.
It should be noted that Armenia imports about 2.3 billion cubic meters of gas annually from Russia (2 billion 360.4 million in 2023), as well as 300-400 million from Iran (370.4 million in 2023).
Russian gas is used for general consumption, Iranian gas is used for thermal power plants.
Armenia buys gas from Russia for 165 dollars per 1000 cubic meters (much lower than international market prices), and this price will be maintained until 2030.
Gas is purchased from Iran on the principle of exchange (1 cubic meter of gas for 3 KW/hour of electricity, which is produced at the Yerevan Thermal Power Plant and other thermal power plants).
Armenian consumers receive gas at the following rates: socially disadvantaged households - 100,000 drams ($257), other households - 143,700 drams ($370), agro-industrial entities - 233,900 dollars, monthly consumption of more than 10,000 cubic meters other enterprises with 265.81 dollars.
