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Awareness Raising Workshops for Women Entrepreneurs in Yerevan and Gyumri

On 25 and 26 March, 2024, awareness-raising workshops for women-led micro and small enterprises in Armenia were held in Yerevan and Gyumri respectively, within the framework of the KfW financed "Promotion of Renewable Energies" Program (GAF-RE Phase VI).

The events were organized by “German-Armenian Fund” PMU and Fichtner GmbH & Co. KG, with the support of the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) and GAF RE partner Armenian banks and credit organizations which provided support with invitation of women entrepreneurs collaborating with AGBU and partner financial institutions in Yerevan and Gyumri"

The aim of the workshops was to introduce the objectives of the GAF-RE Program, explain the financial and technical benefits of the green loans offered by the programme to women households and women-led enterprises for the construction of PV power plants of up to 500 kW, update the audience on the regulatory framework enabling the rapid development of solar technology in general and small-scale autonomous PV systems in particular, share success stories and lessons learned, and outline key environmental and social considerations to be taken into account when designing and constructing PV systems.

Also, within the framework of the events, participants were presented with a “Women in Renewable Energy” pamphlet that summarizes the above information and answers the most frequently asked questions around the financial and technical aspects of installation of PV systems.

The workshop in Yerevan hosted up to 80 participants representing women-led households and enterprises as well as commercial banks involved in the lending process.

The session was opened with a welcome address by Mrs. Gayane Khachatryan, Director of the "German-Armenian Fund (GAF)" acting as the project management unit (PMU). In the subsequent presentation given by Mrs. Khachatryan, the background, management structure and main objectives of the PMU, as well as information on cooperation with key donor organizations and implemented loan programs were introduced. Technical assistance accompanying the PMU’s projects was brought into special focus with general information on capacities built within the TA of different programs.

Mrs. Satenik Ghevondyan, Senior Project Manager of the PMU, updated the audience on: distribution of funds per each phase of GAF-RE Program; statistics of the implemented small hydro power plants (SHPP), small-scale and utility scale PV power plant projects and solar water heater (SWH) projects; the regional distribution profile of credit funds ; the scope of eligible projects of Program phase VI (up to 500 kW PV plants for own consumption of legal persons, up to 1050 kW total capacity, and up to 150 kW PV plants for own consumption of physical persons), the basic loan terms, as well as the main functions performed by Fichtner GmbH & Co. KG, the technical consultant of the Program.

The session was continued by presentations delivered by Mr. Arsen Hayriyan, Fichtner’s Local Legal Expert and Mr. Andre Ohanian, Fichtner’s Local Technical Expert.

In his presentation, Mr. Hayriyan provided an overview of the latest legislative changes establishing favorable conditions for autonomous energy generation by individuals and businesses through the net-metering scheme. He also highlighted the eligibility of new schemes, allowing groups of autonomous producers with a total installed capacity of 1050 kW, enabling production and consumption of electricity at various metering points.

By answering questions from the audience regarding the economic feasibility of individual small-scale PV installations, Mr. Hayriyan introduced the results of calculating the payback of PV systems with a capacity from 5 to 150 kW and demonstrated the practical benefits of PV technology application through the examples of projects (success stories) implemented for a household in Lusakunq village, for a medical center “Master Pharm” LLC in Vagharshapat city and for the Moscow Cinema in Yerevan.

Mr. Ohanyan’s presentation was of a technical nature and devoted to the following aspects: principle of PV cells and panels operation, structure of the PV panels, differences between off-grid and on-grid PV facilities, main installation issues identified during the construction of utility-scale PV plants, such as the stability of load-bearing structures when exposed to soil erosion, corrosion of support structures, shallow cable laying, exposed live parts, etc.

After the presentation of a video on the “Promotion of Renewable Energies” Program and a coffee break, the workshop continued with a presentation of Mr. Yengibaryan, Solar Project Specialist of the R2E2 Fund (Fichtner’s local subcontractor), on the project evaluation process and installation challenges of small-scale roof-top and ground-mounted PV systems.

In particular, Mr. Yengibaryan introduced and clarified the list of key documents that applicants are expected to submit to the Consultant for the evaluation of the PV project, outlined the most common mechanical, civil and electrical issues encountered during monitoring of PV power plants, explained the consequences of the detected deficiencies on the stability and reliability of PV systems and proposed corresponding mitigation actions.

The workshop was concluded with the presentation on Environmental, Social, Health and Safety requirements of the Program, delivered by Mrs. Christina Mansfeld, Fichtner’s International ESHS Expert. In her presentation, Mrs. Mansfeld stressed the importance of the availability of proper first aid kits and personal protection equipment and underlined the benefits of housekeeping of the project site during construction and operation. Special attention was paid to the proper disposal and recycling of damaged PV modules aimed to prevent contamination of soils and groundwater with heavy metals such as lead and cadmium.

The presentations were followed by a Q&A session during which participants asked questions regarding issues associated with technical and ESHS aspects of the design, construction and operation of small-scale PV plants.

The workshop in Gyumri brought together up to 20 representatives of local women-led households and enterprises and covered the same topics as the event held in Yerevan.

During the discussion that followed the presentation session, many questions were voiced regarding the quality assurance during the construction and installation of PV systems, since some participants already had experience working with unscrupulous companies. In particular, participants were keen to know whether there were local organizations that could provide proper supervision during the process of project preparation, equipment procurement and PV plant construction.

In response to these requests, participants were informed that all projects financed and implemented through the GAF-RE Program undergo appropriate technical and financial due diligence, supplemented with regular monitoring of the construction and installation process.

Materials of the workshop can be found below.