Multiple benefits through combining solar energy and agriculture
Armenia’s drive for energy independence has created competition with agriculture due to the land needed for solar plants. This IKI Small Grants project sets up an agriphotovoltaic solar plant in Jermuk, combining energy and food production. The plant aims to cut climate emissions, reduce energy dependence, improve land use and boost agricultural output. It features a ground-mounted solar power plant producing 34,155 kilowatt hours annually. The project includes training on sustainable energy, climate change, and project development, along with selecting suitable plant varieties to be planted under the solar power plant. It directly benefits 150 young people and women from five regions. The project shares knowledge across the region, providing access to results and guidance to maximize agrivoltaic potential.
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
IKI Small Grants supports the Armenian Energy Agency Foundation (AEA) in their organisational capacity development through:
- Trainings on several ISO standards, such as ISO 90001 quality management, ISO 140001 environmental management systems and ISO 50001 energy management systems
- Training on energy audit
- Training on gender-sensitive project planning as well as the involvement of people with disabilities
- Training on project management, which focuses on Monitoring & Evaluation
ABOUT THE ORGANISATION
The Armenian Energy Agency Foundation (AEA) is a registered non-profit foundation formed in 2018.
The foundation aims to support the sustainable development of the Armenian energy sector. AEA is a knowledge-based centre which brings together international and local experts in the field. The scope of action covers the entirety of the energy sector and includes the functions of support, consultancy, and mediation for both the private and public sectors.
During recent years the AEA implemented similar relevant projects, such as the EU4 Enviroment “Green community: resilient future” project introducing a green urban development model; the “Bright Border” project with the goal to inform the inhabitants of frontier communities in Armenia and Artsakh about the ability to save on monthly electric bills through energy-efficient LED lamps; and the “PLUG.AM” project that installed 25 charging stations in Yerevan and the regions.