Energizing hope for Turkey-Armenia ties
Güncelleme Tarihi:
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Mart 04, 2009 00:00
We are not quite sure just how Turkey might cooperate with Armenia on construction of a nuclear power plant, an idea that originated with Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sarkisian, according to a Russian daily. But we certainly agree with Armenian parliamentarian Armen Martirosyan that participation of Turkish companies in the tender process would have positive outcomes for regional cooperation.
This intriguing idea comes as Turkey is negotiating with Russia’s Atomstroyexport-led consortium, the sole bidder for Turkey’s first nuclear tender, on pricing terms. That Armenian expectations are that any nuclear undertaking would also involve Russia opens the window of deliberation wider. Yes, Turkey may not have specific nuclear technology to offer Armenia. But a three-way discussion on Armenia’s plans could certainly incorporate a strategy to make use of the supporting expertise that Turkey will derive from its $20 billion deal with Atomstroyexport.
But a look at the map suggests any discussion of energy generation and consumption should not be limited to nuclear. Turkey, for example, has so far developed only about one third of its hydroelectric capacity. There are environmental concerns with dam construction, and we share them. But there are responsible ways to harness more of this energy and as many of the most logical sites are in eastern Turkey, a link-up with Armenia makes eminent sense.
Another point worth noting is that the single aging nuclear plant in Armenia, known as Metzamor, currently has an annual generating of 440 megawatts. This supplies about 40 percent of the energy needs of Armenia. The Daily News also reported yesterday on plans by the Turkish company Ataseven to license and build 10 wind energy facilities in Turkey. These facilities would have a capacity of almost 3,000 megawatts. By our math, this would mean more than enough power for Armenia with these projects in Turkey alone.
And when one considers the future of regional oil and gas pipeline configurations, both current and planned, in the context of good and cooperative relations between Turkey and Armenia, then matters grow even more interesting.
These are matters deserving of discussion before the regional Caucasusus Platform initiative of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. They are also issues that should be on the agenda of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation forum.
But most importantly, this new proposal on energy is just further evidence that these two neighboring countries, linked by tragedy as well as a great common history and culture, need one another. That this is realized by leaders in both countries, at a time of diaspora politics abroad and occasional extremist rhetoric in Turkey and Armenia, is great cause for hope.
But a look at the map suggests any discussion of energy generation and consumption should not be limited to nuclear. Turkey, for example, has so far developed only about one third of its hydroelectric capacity. There are environmental concerns with dam construction, and we share them. But there are responsible ways to harness more of this energy and as many of the most logical sites are in eastern Turkey, a link-up with Armenia makes eminent sense.
Another point worth noting is that the single aging nuclear plant in Armenia, known as Metzamor, currently has an annual generating of 440 megawatts. This supplies about 40 percent of the energy needs of Armenia. The Daily News also reported yesterday on plans by the Turkish company Ataseven to license and build 10 wind energy facilities in Turkey. These facilities would have a capacity of almost 3,000 megawatts. By our math, this would mean more than enough power for Armenia with these projects in Turkey alone.
And when one considers the future of regional oil and gas pipeline configurations, both current and planned, in the context of good and cooperative relations between Turkey and Armenia, then matters grow even more interesting.
These are matters deserving of discussion before the regional Caucasusus Platform initiative of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. They are also issues that should be on the agenda of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation forum.
But most importantly, this new proposal on energy is just further evidence that these two neighboring countries, linked by tragedy as well as a great common history and culture, need one another. That this is realized by leaders in both countries, at a time of diaspora politics abroad and occasional extremist rhetoric in Turkey and Armenia, is great cause for hope.