Autonomous hybrid solar stations as a means of increasing the livelihood of the crisis-affected population

Project Details & Results

As a result of the escalation of the armed conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan in September 2022, the border communities and rural households of Gegharkunik, Vayots Dzor and Syunik regions suffered losses and faced damages caused to the power supply systems, gas pipelines, irrigation systems resulting in decreased livelihoods and security. Consequently, the remote pastures in some communities became unsafe; some important infrastructures are damaged, and the local population is facing new challenges because of inaccessibility of infrastructures. Frequent electricity and gas supply disruptions result in increased pressure on already limited forest resources, which are also threatened by wildfires due to shooting. The situation has particularly affected the life of women and children from bordering communities, leading to serious lack of access to basic social services, shortage of food and non-food items, affecting mental health and sense of security. With the aim to offer sustainable solution to the problem, the project will implement the following activities:

• Install on-grid hybrid and mobile solar power stations to ensure livelihoods and security of the crisis-affected communities;
• Exploit mobile stations in summer pastures ensuring increase in farmers’ livelihood and better management and maintenance of agricultural yield;
• Install PV stations with a capacity of 100 kW to ensure about 110,000kWh energy saving, CO2 emissions decrease by 68 tons and community savings of about USD20,000;
• Conduct training of about 50 youth on EE and RES use, to trigger the spread of innovative technologies in remote communities.

It is envisaged that the implementation of the mentioned activities will contribute to the achievement of the project objective, that is to increase the level of livelihood of the population and the efficiency of safe use of green areas in the border areas of Gegharkunik, Vayots Dzor and Syunik marzes through installation of solar hybrid electric plants.

Project Results

The project will produce the following results:

• Availability of uninterrupted energy supply contributed to increased livelihood and safety for communal and individual households due to introduction of on-grid hybrid and hybrid mobile solar power plants in the most vulnerable communities and green areas of the crisis-affected regions;
• Operation of mobile solar systems improved the living conditions of farmers in summer pastures, as well as efficiency of the processing and storage of the agricultural products;
• About 110,000 kWh energy saved annually through installation of PV systems with the overall capacity of about 100 kW;
• About 70 tons of CO2 emissions prevented through installation of 100kW PV systems;
• At least USD 20,000 saved annually through installation of 100kW PV systems;
• At least 600 project beneficiaries improved livelihoods and safety due savings generated as a result of the operation of solar systems;
• At least 50 youth increased their capacities and skills on solar system installation and maintenance through trainings on operation and maintenance of RES.