9th Quarterly Report: October – December 2020

Agency for International Development (USAID), continued to make significant progress during the reporting period from October 1 to December 31, 2020. The program is in its tenth quarter of a five-year implementation period. The MLET Program's Second Annual Report for the period from October 2019 to September 2020 was submitted on October 28 and approved by the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) on December 1. The report highlights the program's achievements and progress in implementing its work plan and technical deliverables. The program's management and coordination were maintained through weekly teleconference briefings between the Chief of Party (COP), Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP), and the COR. The Risk Matrix for the Market Management System (MMS) Software was updated monthly, and the MMS Alpha Phase software development was completed, with the Beta Phase launched and in progress. The Public Services Regulatory Commission (PSRC) adopted the revised Transmission and Distribution Network Codes, including the Reliability and Security Indicators (RSI), in December 2019. The Wholesale Electricity Market (WEM) Trading Rules and WEM Contract were revised and shared with the PSRC and Electricity System Operator (ESO) for approval. The final revisions were made and shared with the PSRC on December 23, 2020. The MLET team began developing the Electricity Market Gap Analysis Report to facilitate the adoption of EU standards pertaining to electricity markets. The team will review the EU Directives specifically related to electricity market development and identify gaps in the current regime. The MLET team also developed the draft Market Monitoring Guidelines (MMG), which were shared with the PSRC, Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures (MTAI), and other stakeholders on December 24, 2020. The report on Gap Analysis for Policy, Legal, Regulatory, and Institutional Framework for Development of Renewable Energy in Armenia was developed and submitted to the COR on September 30. To support the Government of Armenia's (GOAM) bidding process for the grid-connected 200 MW Ayg-1 Solar Photovoltaic (PV) project, the MLET team completed the RFP package and submitted it to the Armenia Renewable Resources and Energy Efficiency Fund (R2E2) in August. The GOAM approved the prequalified bidders, the composition of the Tender Committee, and the RFP for the Ayg-1 Solar PV project on December 3. The RFP package was finalized and approved by the GOAM and shared with the prequalified bidders on December 21. The MLET team also established a Data Room to support the bidding process, which was set up on December 28. The Data Room will contain all relevant project information and will be managed by the MLET team. The MLET Program's progress and achievements during the reporting period demonstrate its commitment to implementing its work plan and technical deliverables. The program's efforts to support the GOAM's bidding process for the Ayg-1 Solar PV project and to develop the Electricity Market Gap Analysis Report and Market Monitoring Guidelines are significant steps towards achieving the program's objectives. The MLET Program's continued progress and achievements are a testament to its effective management and coordination. The program's efforts to support the GOAM's efforts to develop a more liberalized and competitive electricity market will contribute to the country's economic growth and development. The MLET Program's next steps will focus on implementing its work plan and technical deliverables, including the development of the Wholesale Electricity Market (WEM) and the Market Management System (MMS). The program will also continue to support the GOAM's efforts to develop a more liberalized and competitive electricity market. The MLET Program's progress and achievements during the reporting period demonstrate its commitment to implementing its work plan and technical deliverables. The program's efforts to support the GOAM's efforts to develop a more liberalized and competitive electricity market will contribute to the country's economic growth and development.