CivilNet will participate in the campaign to turn off the power for two hours on May 25 between 21:00 and 23:00. The CivilNet website will not be updated during those hours.
The campaign is a move to protest against the electricity tariff increase. Participants are asked to turn off their lights and all other power-consuming devices on Monday for two hours between 21:00 and 23:00.
The Electric Networks of Armenia (“ENA” CJSC) submitted a proposal to the Public Services Regulatory Commission of Armenia to increase the price of electricity supplied to customers by more than 40 percent. This translates to an increase from 42 dram per kilowatt per hour to 59 dram during the day, and from 32 dram to 49 dram at night.
The ENA, in an attempt to justify its tariff increase request, said that it can no longer manage itself effectively and is facing losses and electricity theft. Energy and Natural Resources Minister Yervant Zakaryan said that the ENA’s request is a reasonable one.
Those who are turning off their lights and participating in the protest campaign are warning the ENA and other relevant authorities that their actions will have an impact on the company’s revenue.
On the campaign’s Facebook page, it is estimated that if 100,000 families participate in this campaign, considering all their devices consume 3kW, then the company’s loss will amount to 4.2 million dram.
Other news organizations that will shut down their broadcasts and participate in the campaign include Orer.am, Araratnews.am, A1plus.am, Ilur.am, Lragir.am websites, News.am, Yerkir.am, among others.
