The history of the development of the energy sector in Armenia
The history of energy sector initiation in Armenia is bound with the commencement of copper production power supply in c. Kapan (Syunik), when in 1903 two diezel-generator power units with capacity of 110 kW and 125 kW were put into operation, and the hydro power plant (HPP) with capacity of 75 kW on the river Vokhchi was constructed. Later on, in c. Alaverdi (Lori) in 1909 on the river Debet several small HPP-s were constructed by specialists form France.
The development of the energy sector was characterized by construction of HPPs.
Before World War 2 Aremnia operates 13 small HPPs with annual capacity of 10 million kW/H.
The World War I, Revolution and the Civil War in Russia immensely injured the formulating energy sector of Armenia, by 1920 the electricity generation was reduced to 1,0 mln. kW/h. In the 30s measures on rehabilitation of inoperative small power plants and construction of new plants were undertaken. During that period the Yerevan HPP-1 with capacity and Leninakan (Gyumri) HPP were commissioned. his period was period of Armenian small plants construction. The first at that time large-scale power plant of Armenia - Dzora HPP with capacity of 25 MW was commissioned in 1932.
In 1938 all the power plants were operating in parallel regime, i.e. the Armenian power system was established.
Before the World War II Kanaker HPP with capacity of 88 MW was constructed and commissioned in Armenia. And in the period from 1945 to 1960 the construction of all HPPs of Sevan-Hrazdan Cascade was accomplished.
However, power consumption growth significantly surpassed the growth of hydro power capacities, therefore, from the end of 1950s thermal power plants operating on imported fuel were being constructed in Armenia. Till 1976 the thermal units at Yerevan Hrazdan, and Vanadzor plants were commissioned. In Armenia in the mid 1970s the capacity of operating and plants under construction was insufficient to meet the electric loads of the Armenian energy system in the period after 1975. The decision on Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) construction in Armenia was made. Construction of hydro power plants continues on the river Vorotan. Tatev, Shabm and Spandaryan power plants of Vorotan cascade were completely commissioned in 1970-1989. The power system of Armenia was established by the selfless efforts of several generations of power engineers. Already in the 70-80s by the electricity generation Armenia left behind not only Turkey, Iran, Iraq, but also such countries as Italy, Spain, Ireland, Portuguese, etc.
The energy science and education have core role in establishment of Armenian energy sector.The Scientific Research Institute of Energy was established in 1963, that became the forge of scientific-educational personnel for the energy sector. In 1972 in Yerevan Politechnical Institute opens the department of energy engineering. In the same year "Armatom" and other institutes were established. Nowadays "Armhydroproject", "Armenergosetproject", "Armenergoseismoproject" and other design institutes have their important role in the energy sector.
The gasification of Armenia plays it's core role as well. Gasification of Armenia started in 1958. Natural gas was supplied to Armenia in the beginning of 1960 from Karadag deposit by Karadag-Tbilisi-Yerevan gas main. Further natural gas was also supplied from Iran through Nakhichevan.
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