NEW NUCLEAR POWER PLANT IN ARMENIA LIKELY TO BE BUILT WITHIN 8-10 YEARS- MINISTER
ARKA News
ENERGY YEREVAN, August 8. /ARKA/. Armenian authorities are considering a project to build a new nuclear power plant with a capacity of about 1000-1200 MW, Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Minister Gnel Sanosyan said in an interview with Armenian Public TV. He said several options are being considered - either to build a power unit with a capacity of about 1000 or 1200 MW, or two power units with 1000 MW capacity each. 'That, in fact, will enable not only to cover all of the country's needs in electricity and reduce its cost, but also to export the surplus to neighboring countries," Sanosyan said. He refrained from estimating the cost of the new NPP project, noting only that it depends on a number of parameters, including its capacity, location, seismic safety issues, funding sources and others. "The project will cost several billion dollars. However, one should consider that these funds will be invested for several years," added the Minister. According to the Minister, the new nuclear power plant will be tentatively built on the territory adjacent to the existing NPP (about 80 hectares), and it will also allow using some of the existing infrastructure facilities. As regards the operating Metsamor NPP, Sanosyan said that the plant has a license to operate until 2026. 'At present, we are preparing documentation for the re-extension of its operation term until 2036,' he said. The Armenian Nuclear Power Plant, the only one in the South Caucasus region, is located near the town of Metsamor, about 30 kilometers west of Yerevan. It accounts for about 40% of the total electricty generation of the country. In June, 2022 the Armenian NPP CJSC and the Rusatom Overseas JSC (a division of Russian state atomic concern Rosatom) signed a MoU to start preparations for building a new nuclear power unit in Armenia. --0-