Azernews.Az

By Jamila Babayeva

The Armenian scientists' hope to replace oil and gas industry with solar energy seems doomed to failure, as the government lacks enough funds to develop promising alternative energy sector in the country.

Local media say that the development of this sector could protect the nation against the upcoming price hike in electricity tariffs by 10 percent.

"The next price increase could lead the authorities to think about an alternative energy and to help those who are working in his field but the government is doing exactly the opposite," media report said.

A group of Armenian scientists have developed a project on construction of a solar energy plant with huge economic benefits.

"However, the Armenian authorities are impeding its progress," media report said.

The National Academy of Sciences of Armenia (NASA) in turn has complained about the shortage of funds for the development of solar energy.

"It is meaningless to hope that NASA has enough funds for the development of solar energy," NASA' President Radik Martirosyan told local media.

Local socialists believe that the price hike in electricity tariffs will negatively affect 80 percent of the population. They noted that the only option for affordable energy in Armenia is solar energy field where there has been no progress so far.