With the joint efforts of Telcell and Shtigen Group, Noyemberyan State College has achieved energy independence. A 26,4 kW solar power station and a 300-liter solar water heater have been installed in the educational institution.
The official opening ceremony took place on December 11, during which Telcell Director Artyom Ghazaryan delivered a speech to the students of Noyemberyan State College, discussing financial literacy and its importance.
The program, symbolically named “Sunrise,” was implemented as part of the corporate social responsibility efforts of the initiating companies. Its goal is to establish energy independence in the country through solar technologies, prioritizing border settlements.
According to Hayk Shekyan, the founding director of Shtigen Group, the initiative includes companies that have adopted socially responsible practices, such as Telcell, which recognizes the importance of energy sustainability.
The solar power station and water heater will meet the energy needs of Noyemberyan State College for many years. As part of the project, the college will also receive educational water heaters, didactic accessories, safety systems (for working at heights), and educational materials to help foster the development of the renewable energy sector at the college.
Since the college has students studying at the Faculty of Renewable Energy, the installation of the stations also provides a valuable opportunity for students to receive practical training in the maintenance of these systems.
According to the director of the educational institution, Karen Nazaryan, the annual savings of about 2 million drams will be used to repair the professional laboratory, update the material and technical base, and purchase computer equipment. Additionally, it is planned to provide scholarships to students with excellent performance.
A symbolic ceremony to turn on the station also took place during the opening ceremony.
A memorandum of cooperation was signed between Telcell and Shtigen Group in 2022, under which the leading financial company allocated 7.4 million drams to the “Sunrise in Artsakh” project, aimed at helping Martuni Vocational College’s fully transition to renewable energy. However, the project was not implemented due to the blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh and the subsequent exodus of Armenians. To ensure the donated funds were used for their intended purpose, numerous projects were discussed over the past year. Ultimately, the companies decided on a project to establish energy independence at Noyemberyan State College, which will promote both the development of renewable energy and the educational component.