EBRD lights up Armenia’s capital

We are providing US$ 4 million for a pilot project that will enable Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, to modernise its street-lighting system by introducing energy-efficient technologies.

The loan is complemented by a capital grant of up to US$ 2 million from the Eastern Europe Energy Efficiency and Environment Partnership (E5P). Technical cooperation for project preparation is financed by the TaiwanBusiness-EBRD Technical Cooperation Fund and the EBRD’s own resources.

Yerevan has 1.1 million residents, roughly one-third of the country’s total population. Its citizens suffer from an inefficient street-lighting network which uses polluting, mercury-based lights that waste energy and are a considerable environmental hazard. Due to the antiquated condition of the current system, large parts of the city are poorly illuminated.

To overcome this problem the project will introduce new energy-efficient LED lighting. A control and monitoring system will also be established, poles replaced and renovated, and power cables replaced. As a result, service quality and environmental standards will rise and the city will minimise the costs of operations and maintenance. Lighter streets will also be safer for pedestrians and motorists.