Ecolur Informational NGO

About the project

The project is implemented by a consortium of international companies (the Dutch Fotowatio Renewable Ventures B.V. and the Spanish FSL Solar S.L.), which signed an agreement with the Armenian government in 2018.

The company responsible for building the plant, Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV), which is part of Abdul Latif Jameel Energy, received support from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), and the European Union (EU). They are extending up to USD 38.4 million in financing, structured in different tranches of debt.

The construction site was selected in Mets Masrik community of Gegharkunik Region, covering approximately 130 hectares. Half of the local community are refugees from Azerbaijan, who already facing marginalization and security risks.

Affected communities were deprived of their lands, and received no information on the risks and implications of the project. During community hearings, residents indicated that the project’s risks were not sufficiently discussed, especially regarding the management of electronic hazardous waste which was to be disposed in a landfill. There is also a risk of contamination of lake Sevan, the largest lake in Armenia. Additionally, the economic damage from losing fertile soil across 130 hectares was not assessed, nor was the potential economic benefit of the solar plant adequately compared to this loss, and locals were deprived of their lands with inadequate compensation.

About the community-led struggle

EcoLur has been working closely with the community to raise awareness about their rights and the project’s impacts. With the CRE support, they have prepared an information package, launched a media and social media campaign, and conducted advocacy to bring the local perspectives to the government and financiers involved in the project.

As the community was not informed about the Masrik-1 solar photovoltaic project and did not initially engage with local authorities, EcoLur identified two key needs:

1. analysis of project documents for compliance with international standards, conventions, and directives, and

2. community mobilization, awareness-raising, and participation in media advocacy.

EcoLur prepared an informational package on the Masrik-1 project, including research and analysis of key documents in relation to national legislation, Armenia’s international commitments, and the environmental and social policy requirements of investors—the EBRD and IFC. It also reviewed other solar construction projects in the Vardenis community to conduct cumulative assessments, such as projected electronic waste and the use of agricultural land. These assessments revealed gaps in compliance with national regulations, European directives and conventions, and financiers’ environmental and social policies.

To strengthen awareness among residents and local officials about the project and stakeholder obligations, EcoLur held meetings with the administration and residents of the expanded Vardenis community, including Mets Masrik and Arpunk. Discussions also covered the delayed Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) conclusion, which had been postponed due to a two-year halt in construction following security threats to nearby residents after Azerbaijani military actions.

A media campaign—articles, interviews, and video pieces—was carried out to advocate for the socio-environmental rights of local residents. Together with community members, EcoLur prepared statements and appeals on socio-environmental rights and compliance with national and international norms. These were submitted to the developer, investors (IFC and EBRD), and the Ministry of Environment, and were published on their website. Based on a comprehensive review of permitting documents, as well as consultations with local authorities and residents, EcoLur also developed a set of proposals and recommendations that were submitted to the company, the financiers, and the Ministry of Environment.

Further resources

• EcoLur’s Letter on Monitoring of « Masrik 1 » Solar Photovoltaic Plant Construction
• Correspondence with « FRV Masrik » Company on Construction of Masrik-1 Solar Power Station
• Correspondence with EBRD and IFC on Construction of Masrik-1 Solar Power Station
• Public Eminent Domain Recognized Over Arpunk Land Area for Masrik-1 Solar Power Station
• EcoLur Has Sent a Letter to FRV Company Concerning « Masrik-1 » Solar Plant Project Risks
• « FRV Masrik » CJSC To Receive Water Use Permit
• Expert Assessment Opinion of Construction of « Masrik-1 » Solar Photovoltaic Plant Declared Invalid?
• Construction Project of « Masrik-1 » Solar Station Must Undergo New Examination: « EcoLur » Addressed Environment Minister Proposing toù
• Revoke Previously Issued Positive Expert Assessment Conclusion
• « ArtSolar » Solar Station Construction Project Adjacent to « Sevan » National Park Reached Last Stage of Public Discussions
• If « Masrik-1 » Solar Plant Not Built on Time, Developer To Pay Irrevocable Guarantee of $1 Million
• Environmental and Social Risks of Solar Energy
• « Masrik-1 » Solar Station – Expected Risks of Electronic Wastes
• Construction of « Masrik-1 » Solar Power Station Resumed