The Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC) presented the results and marked the completion of a solar thermal system and electric heating project in a pre-school facility in Paruyr Sevak village, Ararat Region. The project was implemented together with its General Partner VivaCell-MTS within the framework of the joint Alternative Energy Project. 

 

The presentation took place in the pre-school facility, which has 2 small rooms and houses 16 children. VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian, founder of FPWC Ruben Khachatryan, and head of Paruyr Sevak community Edward Stepanyan attended the event.

 

«In ancient times, the wise were saying that we have to love the earth and take good care of it, because we have not inherited it from our parents, but we have borrowed it from our children. Nature is very rich in resources, but we need to use them efficiently and, if possible, choose totally harmless or less harmful ways. The whole world is already aware of the causes of environmental disasters and the seriousness of their consequences, and many countries have already chosen the responsible approach to the environment by using alternative energy resources. This is not the fight of separate countries, but of the whole humanity, and by joining it we reaffirm ourselves as being civilized and conscious», mentioned VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian.

 

The installed system includes 2 solar water heating collectors, each of which comes with 30 vacuum tubes (total 60 vacuum tubes). The vacuum pipes have a diameter of 70mm, which are the largest and the most effective ones in Armenia (until now only 58mm pipes have been used in Armenia). The length of each pipe is 2.1m. The system has double coils water tank with a 300 liter capacity and a pump station with controller. Furthermore, an electric heating boiler with a capacity of 15KW and an 8 piece radiator also installed in the pre-school facility will provide much needed heating for the children. The solar water heating system installed in the pre-school facility is energy efficient and environmentally friendly as it reduces water heating costs by 100% in the summer and up to 50-60% in the winter. The implementation of the project is expected to expand the pre-school facility’s population. It is also a first step towards clean and cost efficient energy in the community.

 

Paruyr Sevak village, which used to be called Sevakavan, was established in 1978 and has 577 inhabitants. The village population came from various surrounding communities. During the Nagorno-Karabagh war, many Armenians migrated to the village from Azerbaijan. 

 

About the Alternative Energy Project 

 

The Alternative Energy project aims to reduce pollution and protect the environment by giving villagers an opportunity to use alternative sources of energy. This ten month long project will be implemented in six communities of the Gegharkunik (Vahan and Tsovagyugh) and Ararat (Paruyr Sevak, Shaghap, Lanjanist and Urtsadzor) regions and contains two components: capacity trainings for local villagers and access to renewable energy (solar thermal system, electric fences, LED street lights). As Armenia has a fairly good potential for solar energy, investment in alternative and energy efficient technologies can significantly benefit environmental and social issues. The project aspires to become a long-term cooperation between the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC) and VivaCell-MTS in the fields of environmental protection and sustainable use and conservation of natural resources. Both parties emphasize the use of modern technologies in the field of environmental protection.

 

About FPWC 

 

Established in 2002, FPWC is Armenia’s leading foundation for the protection and conservation of the country’s unique natural heritage. Working at the crossroads of wildlife protection, environmental education, as well as community and infrastructure development, the foundation emphasizes the involvement of rural populations in the sustainable development of Armenia. In all its projects, FPWC advocates for mutual respect between human beings, the natural environment, and cultural heritage, as these are indispensable conditions for the positive development of Armenia. 

 

Media Inquiries

Agnesa Karapetyan, Project Coordinator, +374 93 219618, agnesa.karapetyan@fpwc.org

Syuzanna Petrosyan, FPWC Media Department, + 374 77 933772, syuzanna.petrosyan@fpwc.org 

For registering please call FPWC office in advance under 010 585884 or 010 555209

  -   Сharity