Armenia's terrible electric nightmare
By Laman Sadigova
Activists of the "Stand up, Armenia" movement held a rally in Yerevan on the evening on August 11, demanding a resignation of the Public service regulatory commission and nationalization of the Electric Networks of Armenia.
“They (the authorities) stifle the country's energy, have joined Electric Networks to their own business,” says David Sanasaryan, the movement’s coordinator.
“Our struggle is not only for the fact that they review the decisions taken, but also for ensuring that they cede power to the people,” he said.
Dozens of people took part in the opposition rally.
Electric Networks of Armenia is a private company and the only way to force its hand it seems is to nationalize the company. The government, however, has rejected this idea for a long time because it will raise the question of nationalization of natural resources and the Central bank, and it seems very disadvantageous for big companies as well as for the government.
And yet, even if we assume that nationalization will happen the Russian-owned private company Inter RAO may simply cut production in Armenia, leading to even greater electricity shortages.
Social protests are a natural reaction to the chaos going on in the country. The only question is who the protests are against: the president, the private company, the government, or the owner of networks?
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