The budget of Armenia for 2024 includes work to extend the life of the ANPP

Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures of Armenia Gnel Sanosyan, presenting the draft budget of his ministry for 2024, said that the document also includes work at the Armenian NPP.

“We have permits, licenses until 2026, and we have work planned for 2024 and 2025 that will lead to the fact that the life will be extended until 2036. This is our main project related to the ANPP, and enough funds have been allocated for this,” he said.

In addition, he noted that every year the plant stops for 50-60 days for scheduled repairs.

Sanosyan also said that in parallel with this, work is underway related to the new power unit.

About Armenian NPP

The Armenian nuclear power plant, the only one in the South Caucasus region, is located near the city of Metsamor, about 30 km west of Yerevan. The plant is one of the main sources of electricity in the country, providing up to 40% of the total generation. Its service life has been extended until 2026, work is underway to re-prolong it for another 10 years. Work is scheduled to begin in September-November 2023 and be completed within two years.

It is planned to build a new nuclear power plant within 8-10 years, now different options are being compared and the experience of foreign partners is being studied. Earlier it was reported that a preliminary feasibility study for the construction of a new 1,200 MW unit, developed by the state corporation Rosatom, is already under consideration in Armenia.

In addition to this project, the Armenian side is also studying the proposals and experience of colleagues from South Korea (1400 MW, 1000 MW power plantss, modular units are operated there), the USA (on projects of small modular nuclear reactors of 300 MW), France.