YEREVAN, JANUARY 24, NOYAN TAPAN. In presenting the 2006 annual report, the RA Minister of Energy Armen Movsisian underlined the importance - among the implemented measures of program and strategic importance - of the issue of constructing a depository for dry storage of nuclear fuel used by the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant (ANPP) CJSC, as well as the importance of implementation of measures on increasing the ANPP's security in cooperation with international donor organizations. The minister also attached importance to the signing of a tripartite agreement by Armenia, Iran and Georgia on construction of new 400 kv electricity transmission lines. In terms of encouraging the investment policy on energy saving and renewable energy, the minister indicated the creation of the Energy Saving and Renewable Energy Fund by the World Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Cafesjian Foundation and the establishment of the Small Hydropower Plants Development Fund with the assistance of KfW Bank (Germany). According to A. Movsisian, in 2006, construction of Meghri-Kajaran section of the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline was mainly completed. Gas supply of 78,221 individual users was either installed or restored in 2006, as a result of which the total number of users increased to about 443 thousand. 750.35 km of gas distribution lines and 1.17 km of main gas pipelines, as well as 69 stations of electric and chemical protection were put into operation again. According to the speaker, the process of improving the legislative field on energy sector was continued in 2006.

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