Armenia Seeks Storage Solutions Amid Solar Surge

Armenia's rapid solar growth is putting pressure on its power system, says Hakob Vardanyan, a former senior energy official. The country needs to accelerate the construction of utility-scale electricity storage facilities to strengthen its energy security and prepare for possible disruptions in natural gas supplies.

Vardanyan estimates that Armenia requires at least 5 gigawatt-hours of storage capacity, capable of supplying 600-800 megawatts to the grid. This would allow the country to integrate more solar capacity and reduce the imbalance between daytime production and evening consumption.

The European Union has expressed readiness to support electricity storage projects in Armenia, but Vardanyan's figure is an estimate and not part of any agreed project with the EU.

Armenia remains heavily dependent on imported energy, with thermal plants using primarily imported natural gas. Russia supplied 84% of Armenia's gas imports in 2024, while Iran supplied 16%. A disruption in gas supplies would create a particular problem for household heating, as the power system is not designed for a nationwide shift to electric heating.