Armenia in talks with five countries on building a new NPP — Pashinyan
23.09.2026,
14:49
Armenia is negotiating with five countries regarding the construction of a new nuclear power plant (NPP), Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated.
YEREVAN, September 23. /ARKA/. Armenia is negotiating with five countries regarding the construction of a new nuclear power plant (NPP), Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated.
"Of course, we have a nuclear power plant that was built back in Soviet times. The plant's service life is nearing its end, and we are currently making a decision regarding the next nuclear power plant," Pashinyan noted in New York during a panel discussion at the annual Concordia Summit, held alongside the UN General Assembly.
According to him, "on this issue, the Armenian side is negotiating with various partners—the USA, Russia, China, France, and South Korea—and is seeking the best proposal to begin construction of a new nuclear power plant."
About the Armenian NPP
The Armenian NPP—the only one in the South Caucasus region—is located near the town of Metsamor, approximately 30 km west of Yerevan.
The plant is one of the country's primary sources of electricity, accounting for up to 40% of total generation. Its operational lifespan has been extended to 2026, and work is underway to extend it for another 10 years.
Plans are in place to build a new NPP within 8–10 years; various options are currently being compared, and the experience of partners from Russia, the USA, France, and South Korea is being studied. The Armenian side is already reviewing a preliminary feasibility study developed by the state corporation Rosatom for the construction of a new 1,200 MW unit.
Earlier, Kirill Komarov, First Deputy Director General of Rosatom, stated in response to a question from the ARKA news agency that the corporation could offer Armenia nuclear reactors with capacities ranging from 50 to 1,000 MW. According to him, it is possible, in particular, to "assemble" a reactor of any capacity from 50 MW units.
"Of course, we have a nuclear power plant that was built back in Soviet times. The plant's service life is nearing its end, and we are currently making a decision regarding the next nuclear power plant," Pashinyan noted in New York during a panel discussion at the annual Concordia Summit, held alongside the UN General Assembly.
According to him, "on this issue, the Armenian side is negotiating with various partners—the USA, Russia, China, France, and South Korea—and is seeking the best proposal to begin construction of a new nuclear power plant."
About the Armenian NPP
The Armenian NPP—the only one in the South Caucasus region—is located near the town of Metsamor, approximately 30 km west of Yerevan.
The plant is one of the country's primary sources of electricity, accounting for up to 40% of total generation. Its operational lifespan has been extended to 2026, and work is underway to extend it for another 10 years.
Plans are in place to build a new NPP within 8–10 years; various options are currently being compared, and the experience of partners from Russia, the USA, France, and South Korea is being studied. The Armenian side is already reviewing a preliminary feasibility study developed by the state corporation Rosatom for the construction of a new 1,200 MW unit.
Earlier, Kirill Komarov, First Deputy Director General of Rosatom, stated in response to a question from the ARKA news agency that the corporation could offer Armenia nuclear reactors with capacities ranging from 50 to 1,000 MW. According to him, it is possible, in particular, to "assemble" a reactor of any capacity from 50 MW units.
