Modernization to increase the capacity of Armenian nuclear power plant by 10%
13.02.2018,
17:14
A major modernization of the Armenian nuclear power plant will increase its capacity by 10%, deputy minister of energy infrastructures and natural resources Hayk Harutyunyan told journalists on Tuesday.
YEREVAN, February 13. /ARKA/. A major modernization of the Armenian nuclear power plant will increase its capacity by 10%, deputy minister of energy infrastructures and natural resources Hayk Harutyunyan told journalists on Tuesday.
According to him, the re-equipment and modernization of the facility is underway with the main investments being channeled into the improvement of its safe operation. He noted also that the replacement of turbo generators and other equipment will increase the installed capacity of the plant by 40-50 MW.
Regarding the possible closure of the facility, he said the ministry is exploring the possibilities of small modular reactors that would give flexibility and the opportunity to build a new nuclear power plant in a short time.
"We do not say that the Armenian NPP is to work eternally, but we extending the period of its operation by regularly improving its safety," said Harutyunyan.
The Armenian Nuclear Power Plant is located some 30 kilometers west of Yerevan. It was built in the 1970s but was closed following a devastating earthquake in 1988. One of its two VVER 440-V230 light-water reactors was reactivated in 1995. Armenian authorities said they would build a new nuclear power plant to replace the aging facility.
The new plant was said to operate at twice the capacity of the Soviet-constructed facility. The plant currently generates some 35 percent of Armenia's electricity.
In March 2014, Armenian government decided to extend the plant’s service life up to 2026 because of delay in building a new unit. The service life extension has become possible thanks to Russia’s financial resources. The country was to provide $270 million to Armenia as loan and $30 million in grants. --0---
According to him, the re-equipment and modernization of the facility is underway with the main investments being channeled into the improvement of its safe operation. He noted also that the replacement of turbo generators and other equipment will increase the installed capacity of the plant by 40-50 MW.
Regarding the possible closure of the facility, he said the ministry is exploring the possibilities of small modular reactors that would give flexibility and the opportunity to build a new nuclear power plant in a short time.
"We do not say that the Armenian NPP is to work eternally, but we extending the period of its operation by regularly improving its safety," said Harutyunyan.
The Armenian Nuclear Power Plant is located some 30 kilometers west of Yerevan. It was built in the 1970s but was closed following a devastating earthquake in 1988. One of its two VVER 440-V230 light-water reactors was reactivated in 1995. Armenian authorities said they would build a new nuclear power plant to replace the aging facility.
The new plant was said to operate at twice the capacity of the Soviet-constructed facility. The plant currently generates some 35 percent of Armenia's electricity.
In March 2014, Armenian government decided to extend the plant’s service life up to 2026 because of delay in building a new unit. The service life extension has become possible thanks to Russia’s financial resources. The country was to provide $270 million to Armenia as loan and $30 million in grants. --0---
