YEREVAN, July 16 — The Armenian government will assume temporary management of Electric Networks of Armenia (ENA), a company currently owned by Russian-Armenian businessman Samvel Karapetyan, as the state looks to identify a more efficient long-term operator. The announcement was made by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan during a press conference earlier today.
According to Armenian media reports, the move is not a permanent nationalization but a transitional step aimed at stabilizing the company and improving oversight.
“The state must take over ENA’s management at this stage,” Pashinyan said, adding that the government’s goal is not to permanently operate the power grid, but to introduce effective public and governmental oversight while searching for a professional operator to manage the system.
Background
Electric Networks of Armenia is the country’s primary electricity distribution company and a critical component of Armenia’s energy infrastructure. It was privatized and acquired in 2015 by Tashir Group, a holding controlled by Samvel Karapetyan. While the company has undergone some modernization efforts, public dissatisfaction over tariffs, outages, and regulatory opacity has periodically resurfaced.
Strategic Transition Ahead
The government’s decision reflects a broader reassessment of strategic infrastructure governance, particularly in sectors vital to national security and public services. Armenia has faced recent challenges in energy stability, especially in light of regional geopolitical uncertainty, including shifting economic ties and infrastructure realignments in the South Caucasus.
Officials did not specify a timeline for the search and appointment of a new operator but emphasized that any future management arrangement must meet efficiency, transparency, and public accountability standards.
