Increased Electricity Rates Unanimously Approved

Protesters clashing with police following unanimous decision to increase electricity rates in Armenia.

Electricity rates will increase for Armenia’s population starting August 1 of this year.

The Public Services Regulatory Commission (PSRC) unanimously voted to increase tariffs by 6.93AMD on June 17.

Daytime rates will increase from 41.85AMD/kWh to 48.78AMD/kWh and nighttime tariffs will increase from 31.85AMD/kWh to 38.78AMD/kWh.

On May 8, the Russian-managed Armenian Electric Networks Company applied to Armenia’s Public Services Regulatory Commission to increase electricity rates by 17AMD. The electric company had originally proposed that daytime rates for electricity be increased to 58.93AMD/kWh and nighttime rates to 48.93AMD/kWh.

While the PSRC was discussing the proposal, outside the ARF Youth Federation and ARF Nikol Aghbalyan Student’s Union were demonstrating against the proposed hikes.

When it was confirmed that a unanimous vote to increase electricity tariffs had passed, the demonstrators began throwing eggs and tomatoes toward the building. Several minor clashes took place between police officers and demonstrators. According to CivilNet’s reporter on the scene, several protesters were detained and taken to the police station.

Another protest against the rate hike by concerned citizens is scheduled to take place on Friday, June 19 at Yerevan's Liberty Square.

Electricity rates were increased by 10 percent or by 3.85AMD in Armenia on August 1, 2014