Armenia intends to develop cooperation with IAEA, partners to replace existing power unit at its NPP - PM Pashinyan
YEREVAN. Sept 25 (Interfax) - The extension of the service life of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) until 2036 will lay foundation for a smooth transition to a new power unit and Yerevan will cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and partner countries in this matter, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said.
"Armenia has decided to extend its NPP's service life again, from 2026 to 2036. The Armenian NPP modernization and prolongation project is not merely a technical task, but a result of the productive and trustful cooperation between Armenia and the Rosatom state corporation, and other international partners," Pashinyan said at the World Atomic Week forum in Moscow on Thursday.
"This prolongation will lay down sound basis for a smooth transition to the new power unit upon the expiration of the NPP's extended service life, which is our ultimate goal," Pashinyan said.
"In this context Armenia intends to continue to develop its close cooperation with the IAEA and other partner countries to determine the best possible solution for replacing the existing power unit, taking account of economic efficiency, safety and the specifics and the nature of the national power grid. New energy facilities that are being commissioned will become an important factor of regional development," Pashinyan said.
Armenia is taking seriously its international obligations and reaffirms its commitment to international nonproliferation standards and principles, he said.
"Given these considerations, the Armenian government has approved a policy to keep the NPP as a crucial part of our country's electricity balance. Around 30% of all electricity in Armenia is produced by the Armenian NPP," Pashinyan said.
The Armenian NPP is one of the main sources of electricity in the country. Its only active power unit (with a first-general VVER-440 reactor) receives fuel from Rosatom's TVEL company. The NPP's service life has been extended until 2036, after which it should be de-commissioned. At present, the NPP operation in Metsamor is dependent on Russia's Rosatom, both in terms of fuel supplies and technological upgrades.
Earlier, the Armenian government set up a state company to implement a project to build the new nuclear power unit. Over the next two years the company is expected to present its NPP construction plan including the choice of a country that would supply technologies and capacity.
Earlier, Armenian officials announced an intention to consider options involving cooperation with China, Russia, South Korea and the United States.
