20 April 2010: The Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme (SGP) is piloting a residential project to showcase renewable energy and energy efficiency practices in apartment buildings in Armenia.

Specifically, the project supports the installation of energy efficient (EE) doors and windows, EE lighting systems and solar hot water and heating systems. Results reported to date include a 40% reduction in the consumption of natural gas by residents and a 10% reduction in electricity use. It is envisaged that by the end of the project in August 2010, carbon dioxide emission reductions will reach about 62 tons.
The GEF SGP has provided US$30,970 to the project, which has strategic importance for Armenia, a country with no domestic sources of fossil fuel and an immense potential for development of alternative energy resources use and EE technologies in the housing sector. The direct beneficiaries of the project are 15 households and three public service facilities located in the pilot building. [GEF Press Release]