Metsamor planned repair proceeds according to timetable despite resignation applications: director
22.09.2011,
21:06
The chief executive director of Armenian nuclear power plant in Metsamor, Gagik Markosian, confirmed today media reports that part of the personnel have asked for resignation, but said that will not affect the planned repair of the plant.
YEREVAN, September 22. / ARKA /. The chief executive director of Armenian nuclear power plant in Metsamor, Gagik Markosian, confirmed today media reports that part of the personnel have asked for resignation, but said that will not affect the planned repair of the plant.
Reports in Armenian media on Thursday alleged that the re-launch of NPP was under threat after 158 staff members submitted resignation applications on September 20. They said the employees demanded an increase in their wages saying with 120,000-150,000 dram salaries they could not keep their families.
Markosian said the planned repair proceeds according to the timetable and without complications. The plant was brought to a halt September 11 and will resume operation on October 27, as scheduled, Markosian said. He also said out of 150 employees who sent in their resignation applications only one received a 123,000 drams salary, the rest’s salaries vary from 305,000 to 443,000 drams. He refrained from saying what a future awaits these people, stating only that their applications are being considered now.
The Metsamor plant, which accounts for about 40 percent of Armenia's electricity, is located some 30 kilometers west of Yerevan. It was built in the 1970s but was closed following a devastating earthquake in 1988 that killed some 25,000 people and devastated much of northern Armenia. One of its two VVER 440-V230 light-water reactors was reactivated in 1995. The plant’s financial flows have been managed since 2033 by Russian Inter RAO UES, owned by Russian Rosatom. Armenian authorities said they will build a new nuclear power plant to replace the aging Metsamor plant. The new plant is supposed to operate at twice the capacity of the Soviet-constructed facility. -0-
Reports in Armenian media on Thursday alleged that the re-launch of NPP was under threat after 158 staff members submitted resignation applications on September 20. They said the employees demanded an increase in their wages saying with 120,000-150,000 dram salaries they could not keep their families.
Markosian said the planned repair proceeds according to the timetable and without complications. The plant was brought to a halt September 11 and will resume operation on October 27, as scheduled, Markosian said. He also said out of 150 employees who sent in their resignation applications only one received a 123,000 drams salary, the rest’s salaries vary from 305,000 to 443,000 drams. He refrained from saying what a future awaits these people, stating only that their applications are being considered now.
The Metsamor plant, which accounts for about 40 percent of Armenia's electricity, is located some 30 kilometers west of Yerevan. It was built in the 1970s but was closed following a devastating earthquake in 1988 that killed some 25,000 people and devastated much of northern Armenia. One of its two VVER 440-V230 light-water reactors was reactivated in 1995. The plant’s financial flows have been managed since 2033 by Russian Inter RAO UES, owned by Russian Rosatom. Armenian authorities said they will build a new nuclear power plant to replace the aging Metsamor plant. The new plant is supposed to operate at twice the capacity of the Soviet-constructed facility. -0-
