New public hearing held on recognizing ENA shares as overriding public interes

A new public hearing was held at Armenia’s Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure on recognizing the 100% shares of Electric Networks of Armenia CJSC as being of overriding public interest.

The Armenian government enacted emergency legislation in 2025 to take over the management of ENA, owned by Samvel Karapetyan’s Tashir Group, accusing the power distributor of mismanagement. It later announced plans to nationalize the company through eminent domain.

Earlier in September, the Armenian Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure drafted a bill seeking to declare an overriding public interest in 100% of the shares, pending public hearings and submission for Cabinet consideration.

The public hearing was chaired by Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Davit Khudatyan. The hearing was attended by Electric Networks of Armenia Interim Administrator Romanos Petrosyan, Public Services Regulatory Commission member Sergey Aghinyan, heads and representatives of companies in the energy sector, media representatives, and citizens.

Minister Khudatyan presented the content of the draft decision.

The ministry quoted Khudatyan as saying that the draft decision to recognize the shares as being of overriding public interest is based on the vital public importance of electricity distribution, the uninterrupted supply of electricity to the population, the normal operation of social and strategic facilities, the stability of the energy system, and the protection of consumer rights.

The participants submitted no proposals or comments on the draft decision.