"Zhoghovurd" daily writes:
"The escalation of US-Iran relations and the tense situation in the Strait of Hormuz have created new risks not only for global energy markets, but also for regional energy systems. In this context, "Zhoghovurd" daily newspaper addressed an official request to the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of Armenia to understand to what extent Armenia's energy security is protected from possible external shocks. The scenario in which Donald Trump threatens tough actions against Iran, including the targeting of energy infrastructures, if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, is being actively discussed in international expert circles.
This is a particularly sensitive issue for Armenia, because the country's power system is technically interconnected with Iran. Synchronous system with risks and control According to the answer received from the Ministry after 1 month, "the synchronous operation of the power systems of both countries is ensured through the Armenia-Iran intersystem transmission line", and "the primary frequency regulation is carried out by the most powerful Iranian power system". This means that the electrical system of Armenia, the frequency of networks, has a certain dependence on the system of Iran. Nevertheless, according to the official clarification, the risks have been assessed and countermeasures are in place. As noted by the Ministry:
"If Iran's energy infrastructures are hit, an assessment of their possible risk impact on the RA electric power system during possible large-scale accidents has been carried out." Emergency scenarios and countermeasures The responsible authorities do not rule out that "frequency fluctuations and isolation of power systems" may occur in the event of inter-system communication failure. However, according to the Ministry, action plans have been developed in advance for such scenarios.
"Relevant instructions are developed and applied by the system operator, as well as system anti-accident automation is implemented, which enables to stabilize the situation as quickly as possible and adjust the frequency independently." In addition, additional measures are planned to increase the flexibility and resistance of the system. NPP shutdown: an additional challenge? The discussion of risks also coincides with another important factor: the scheduled shutdown of the Armenian nuclear power plant. The Ministry confirms that it is implemented from April 1, 2026, for a period of about 5 months, and emphasizes that the process is pre-planned. of the projected structure of the annual electricity production," the answer states. Instead, reserve capacities are deployed to ensure the stability of the system. In particular: • "Hrazdan-5" power unit with a capacity of 467 MW, • two units of "Hraz TPP" with a total capacity of 400 MW. According to the Ministry, these resources "fully ensure the proper level of reliability of the power system." What is happening in Hormuz now? As of April 30, 2026, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz continues to be tense. Before the regional military operations, an average of 125-140 ships passed through the strait per day, but according to the latest data, this number has decreased to a few ships per day.
Navigation is mainly carried out in the territorial waters of Iran, and the uncertainty of the routes is high. Despite the fact of the US-Iran ceasefire, the lack of full agreement maintains a high level of risks. The idea of introducing a payment system for passage through the strait by Iran is also being discussed, which may create additional complications for international trade.
As a result, Armenia's energy system continues to operate in an interconnected regional environment, where external risks cannot be completely isolated. Although the official bodies assure that risk assessments have been carried out and anti-crisis mechanisms are in place, at the same time it is obvious that the system has some dependence on external factors, especially on the Iranian energy system. Combining the temporary shutdown of the nuclear power plant and regional tensions, the coming months may become a serious test for the energy management system.
And its effectiveness will depend not only on technical preparation, but also on operational management and the ability to respond flexibly. In short, we continue to be hanging on by a hair's breadth, because the alternative program of energy dependence on Iran does not get flesh and blood in Lori region. According to professional estimates, the frequency of Armenia's electrical networks remains synchronized with Iran's.
