Armenia discussing legal aspects of new NPP construction with U.S. - Security Council secretary
YEREVAN. July 3 (Interfax) - Armenia is conducting practical discussions with the United States regarding the possible construction of a new nuclear power plant, Armenian Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan said.
"In some cases, we try to address issues in a long-term perspective. For instance, the question of a new nuclear power plant construction has entered a practical phase. We're discussing the regulation of a legal and contractual framework with the United States now, without which we won't be able to move forward," Grigoryan said at the Armenia-Eastern Partnership-EU: Challenges and Opportunities forum.
"The ball is currently in the U.S. court," he said.
"We expect to complete internal systemic processes in the U.S., after which we'll start working," he said.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said previously that he views the possible construction of small modular nuclear reactors in Armenia as a promising option. Coordinator of the U.S. Department of State's Office of the Coordinator for Assistance to Europe, Eurasia, and Central Asia Maria Longi said earlier that the U.S. offered to build such small modular reactors in Armenia.
Pashinyan said in May 2023 that Armenia was in negotiations with Russia and the U.S. on building a new nuclear power plant.
Armenian Nuclear Power Plant Deputy CEO Movses Vardanyan has said Armenia is mulling the installation of South Korean nuclear power units and American modular reactors, along with Russia's and France's relevant proposals.
Armenia signed a memorandum with Russia's Rosatom state atomic energy corporation in 2022 on constructing a new nuclear power unit in the country, and a preliminary feasibility study is now being conducted.
Specialists from Armenia and Russia began negotiations on designing a future new nuclear power unit in summer 2022. In particular, they considered a standard 1-1.3 GW VVER pressurized-water reactor.
Armenian Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Minister Gnel Sanosyan said in October 2021 that Armenia planned to start NPP construction in 2026-2027 and begin operating a new NPP after shutting down the currently operating Armenian NPP in 2036.
The Armenian NPP is currently among the primary sources of electricity in Armenia. It operates the only VVER-440 first-generation reactor, and Rosatom's TVEL company supplies nuclear fuel for it.