According to New Strategy, Development of Nuclear and Renewable Energy To Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

"Strategy for the long-term development of the Republic of Armenia with low greenhouse gas emissions (until 2050)" was developed. The document considers 5 sectors energy, industrial processes, agriculture, forestry and other land use, waste. In the long term until 2050, RA government aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 2.07 tons per capita.

The energy sector is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions. In 2017, the energy sector accounted for 66.7% of Armenia's total greenhouse gas emissions.

The strategy considers three main scenarios within which Armenia will achieve its low carbon development goals.

In this publication, we present the proposed scenarios for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the energy sector.

The reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the energy sector, according to the draft strategy, will be possible through the commissioning of new renewable and nuclear energy capacities.

In the "with measures" scenario, the target solar capacity is 700 MW by 2050. This capacity should be operational by 2030 and maintained over the next 20 years, reducing total greenhouse gas emissions by 13,367 GgCO2.

The "with additional measures" scenario assumes the operation of 1,000 MW of solar photovoltaic plants by 2030, maintaining this capacity for 10 years, and commissioning an additional 50 MW of capacity annually from 2040. In 2050, the expected installed capacity of solar plants should be 1550 MW. Over 20 years, total greenhouse gas emissions will decrease by 22,248 GgCO2.

The "LM" scenario calls for the commissioning of wind and hydropower capacities starting in 2040. The installed capacity of hydropower plants should reach 430 MW by 2040, which will allow to reduce the total greenhouse gas emissions by 11,129 GgCO2.

The "M" scenario assumes a reduction of uncontrolled emissions by 67.54% in 2050, providing a reduction of total greenhouse gas emissions of 45,312 GgCO2 equivalent in size. The "LM" scenario offers a slightly lower reduction of 66.87% and a reduction in total greenhouse gas emissions of 43,583 GgCO2.

For both "M" and "LM" scenarios, the role of nuclear energy is crucial. the power of the nuclear power plant will be 212 MW in 2036, and it will reach 1,060 MW in 2050, which will allow reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 3,675 GgCO2 equivalent in 2050, or a total of 48,946 GgCO2 equivalent over 15 years.