Karabakh can be world's first 'sun power' country, scientist says

At his meeting with journalists, Doctor of Technical Sciences Vahan Amazaspyan, who is author of helioenergetics programs in Armenia, said that Armenia "has no energy resources, has serious economic, unemployment and migration problems. We are in a deep crisis."

He pointed out the need for developing alternative energy as an industry in Armenia to ease the crisis and enable Armenia to enter the international market.

The Armenian government is rather indifferent to the alternative energy development program. "They either ignore or fail to understand our program," he said.

The government allotted land under the program in Abovyan. However, the incumbent minister of education and science decided to stop the program.

"We plan to construct the first helio-system producing plant there and we are negotiating with Belarus. One of my fellow workers has met with Mikhail Gorbachev, who founded the Green Cross International NGO. He has signed our letter and is willing to invest," the scientist said.

He expects only legal and technical assistance from the Armenian government. The building for the plant and $8 million investment are available. "We will resolve the financial problems, we only want the government to create favorable conditions, especially as it meets national interests. Our population must have an alternative for overcoming unfavorable situations," Amazaspyan said.

He also said that the plant expected to be constructed in Spitak will generate as much energy in 80 days as the Armenian nuclear-power plant generates a day.

"Our top priority task is to make Nagorno-Karabakh the world's first 'sun power' country," Amazaspyan said.