Armenian ministry of energy shrugs off ungrounded claims of Turkish parliament members
10.04.2010,
03:20
Armenian ministry of energy and natural resources shrugged off today ungrounded allegations by some members of the Turkish parliament questioning the safe operation of Armenian nuclear power plant in Metsamor.
YEREVAN, April 9, /ARKA/. Armenian ministry of energy and natural resources shrugged off today ungrounded allegations by some members of the Turkish parliament questioning the safe operation of Armenian nuclear power plant in Metsamor.
Particularly, Turkey’s Peace and Democracy Party demanded that Turkish parliament launch an investigation into Armenia’s nuclear power plant located in Metsamor, saying that built in 1978, it is located in a seismic zone and is the last but one by its safeness in a list of nuclear plants of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The party also said that nuclear power plants must be located at least 90 km away from populated areas while the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant is only 20 off the Turkish town of Igdir and 50 km off Armenia’s capital Yerevan.
In retaliation the Armenian ministry said the safe operation of Metsamor plant is dealt with by a special presidential atomic energy security commission, comprising the best specialist in the area and all safety related operations are coordinated by IAEA. It said also in accordance with Nuclear Security Convention Armenia presents to IAEA its national report on nuclear security every three years, which is open to all members of IAEA.
Regarding the seismic security of the plant, the Armenian ministry said a team of international experts conducted a seismic security study of the plant in 2009 finding there were no reasons of concern. The ministry also said that 2.1 million Armenians live within 50 km radius of the plant and only 126,000 in Turkey.
Armenia wants to replace the aging Metsamor plant by 2017. With a projected capacity of 1,060 megawatts, the new facility would be more than twice as powerful as Metsamor’s sole operating reactor that generates more than 40% of Armenia’s electricity and will serve for 60 years and secure European safety level.
The Armenian government has yet to attract funding for the project which is estimated to cost as much as $5 billion. In an attempt to attract foreign investors Armenian parliament revoked a state monopoly on ownership of nuclear power facilities. Construction is expected to start in 2011. Under a 2003 agreement Armenian nuclear power plant’s financial flows are managed by Russian Inter RAO UES, owned by Russian state-run Rosatom corporation. The agreement expires in 2013. -0-
Particularly, Turkey’s Peace and Democracy Party demanded that Turkish parliament launch an investigation into Armenia’s nuclear power plant located in Metsamor, saying that built in 1978, it is located in a seismic zone and is the last but one by its safeness in a list of nuclear plants of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The party also said that nuclear power plants must be located at least 90 km away from populated areas while the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant is only 20 off the Turkish town of Igdir and 50 km off Armenia’s capital Yerevan.
In retaliation the Armenian ministry said the safe operation of Metsamor plant is dealt with by a special presidential atomic energy security commission, comprising the best specialist in the area and all safety related operations are coordinated by IAEA. It said also in accordance with Nuclear Security Convention Armenia presents to IAEA its national report on nuclear security every three years, which is open to all members of IAEA.
Regarding the seismic security of the plant, the Armenian ministry said a team of international experts conducted a seismic security study of the plant in 2009 finding there were no reasons of concern. The ministry also said that 2.1 million Armenians live within 50 km radius of the plant and only 126,000 in Turkey.
Armenia wants to replace the aging Metsamor plant by 2017. With a projected capacity of 1,060 megawatts, the new facility would be more than twice as powerful as Metsamor’s sole operating reactor that generates more than 40% of Armenia’s electricity and will serve for 60 years and secure European safety level.
The Armenian government has yet to attract funding for the project which is estimated to cost as much as $5 billion. In an attempt to attract foreign investors Armenian parliament revoked a state monopoly on ownership of nuclear power facilities. Construction is expected to start in 2011. Under a 2003 agreement Armenian nuclear power plant’s financial flows are managed by Russian Inter RAO UES, owned by Russian state-run Rosatom corporation. The agreement expires in 2013. -0-
