Armenian PM sees construction of small modular reactors as promising option
YEREVAN. Jan 16 (Interfax) - Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan views the possible construction of small modular nuclear reactors in the country as a promising option, the Armenian government's press service said.
Pashinyan visited the Nuclear Safety Committee on Tuesday to listen to its report for 2023, it said.
"The succession of an analysis and further steps for building a new nuclear power unit in Armenia, the installation of small modular reactors, and choices for the required technology were presented. Pashinyan noted that, while not being an expert in the professional nuances, he viewed modular reactors as a politically appealing option," it said.
"An accident with a small modular reactor doesn't require the establishment of an emergency response zone. In other words, in case of an accident, we won't have to take measures to protect the population within a 100-kilometer radius," Pashinyan was quoted as saying.
The construction of a new nuclear power unit in Armenia requires the establishment of a special organization to handle the project, Pashinyan said.
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. was considering the possible construction of 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 NPP Deputy CEO Movses Vardanyan said in June 2023 that the country was analyzing the feasibility of installing South Korean nuclear power units and U.S. modular reactors along with Russia's and France's proposals.
As was reported in November 2022, Armenia signed a memorandum with Russia's state nuclear energy corporation Rosatom 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.