Armenia approves int'l risk assessment requirements for new nuclear power unit
YEREVAN. Dec 13 (Interfax) - The Armenian government on Thursday approved the method and requirements for Armenian-Russian joint venture Metsamorenergoatom to build a new nuclear power unit in Armenia, Chairman of the State Nuclear Safety Regulatory Committee Ashot Martirosyan told Interfax.
This project was drafted in accordance with the Atomic Energy Agency's latest safety standards. It passed several international analyses in 2011 and 2012.
These requirements stipulate that geological, geophysical, seismological and geotechnical research must be carried out at the area where the new nuclear power unit will be built and operated.
The requirements take into account experience in nuclear power plant operation in the U.S., as well as conclusions drawn from the Fukushima disaster in Japan, Martirosyan said.
Metsamorenergoatom should evaluate the seismic risks at the site and perform ground motion prediction equations. After it studies these materials, the State Nuclear Safety Regulatory Committee will decide on whether or not to clear the company to build the new nuclear power unit. The Armenian Energy and Natural Resources Ministry will determine the timeframes for all of this research.
The new unit is scheduled to be constructed at the site of the currently running unit at the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant (NPP).
"This site has periodically undergone research by international experts since 1993, and I don't think any unrated risks will be detected under the new requirements," Martirosyan said.
Russia and Armenia signed an agreement on the construction of a new 1,060 MW generating unit with a light water VVER reactor at the Armenian NPP in August 2010. Armenia and Russia's Atomstroyexport (ASE) formed the 50-50 joint venture Metsamorenergoatom to implement the project. The venture is also looking for investors for the project.
Construction was to begin in the second half of 2012 or in 2013 and to finish up in 2017. The cost of construction is estimated at $4-$5 billion.
In February of this year, Armenian Energy and Natural Resources Minister Armen Movsisyan said that there are plans to build the power unit in 2019-2020.
The Armenian NPP now has one 400 MW generating unit, the intended service life of which ends in 2016. However, Armenia has already said that the reactor will only be mothballed after a new one is built.
The Armenian NPP generates 46%-50% of the country's electricity.
