YEREVAN, DECEMBER 23, NOYAN TAPAN. The RA ministry of energy and natural resources effectively implemented the 2008 program, the minister Armen Movsisian stated at the December 22 press conference to summarize 2008's results. In his words, the energy system of Armenia is well-prepared for 2008-2009 winter and the system will have no problems during its activity in that period. As regards the programs implemented in 2008, the minister said that they succeeded in connecting Kajaran-Ararat section of Iran-Armenia gas pipeline to the country's distribution system six months earlier than it was planned. Besides, the construction of the platform of Yerevan Thermal Power Plant's steam-and-gas unit with a capacity of 275 megawatts is being done according to the schedule. The tests of the gas turbine to be installed was started by Alstom company (Germany), and Armenian experts will also take part in the tests. It is envisaged transporting the gas turbine to Armenia in mid 2009, and after assembly work in June-July, it will be connected to the Armenian energy system in 2010. Speaking about work of the Russian-Armenian company founded in 2008 for geological survey of uranium mines, mining and processing in Armenia, the minister said that the company began conducting geological physical and geological chemical survey, and drilling operations will start in 2009 which will allow to receive full information on uranium resources in Armenia by late 2009. The minister did not rule out that Armenian nuclear fuel will be used in the new power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant. It was mentioned that the feasibility study of the new unit's construction has been completed, and a tender for a company to manage the construction will be held soon, with its results to be announced in late February 2009. A. Movsisian informed those present that at the recent sitting of the Armenian-Iranian intergovernmental commission held in Tehran, an agreement was reached to build a pipeline 250 mm in diameter for transporting processed oil products in the Tabriz-Yeraskh direction. According to the minister, an Armenian-Iranian joint venture with equal shares will be created for implementing this 200-240 million dollar project in two years. Construction work will begin in the spring of 2009. The current platforms of Iran-Armenia gas pipeline will be used by 60-70% during the construction of the above mentioned pipeline. The minister also announced that an investment program on a capacity growth was launched at the Tabriz processing plant. A project to build an oil refinery in Yeraskh is also on the agenda.

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