Avinyan: Armenia considering room for building new nuclear power plant
17.07.2019,
11:09
Armenia’s authorities are negotiating now with Russia over prospects for the latter’s participation in construction of a new nuclear power plant in the country, Armenian Vice-premier Tigran Avinyan, who is now in New York for UN events, told RIA Novosti. He is quoted as saying that Armenia’s energy system is three-legged – it is based on atomic energy, thermal energy and hydro energy equally.
YEREVAN, July 17. /ARKA/. Armenia’s authorities are negotiating now with Russia over prospects for the latter’s participation in construction of a new nuclear power plant in the country, Armenian Vice-premier Tigran Avinyan, who is now in New York for UN events, told RIA Novosti.
He is quoted as saying that Armenia’s energy system is three-legged – it is based on atomic energy, thermal energy and hydro energy equally.
Avinyan said that atomic energy is very important to the country, and therefore the authorities are considering ways to build a new nuclear plant after Metsamor Nuclear Plant is closed.
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.
Now, only the second, 407.5-megawatt unit is operating. The European Union insists on closure of the plant, but Armenia intends to build a new, 600-megawatt unit. The project is estimated to cost around $5 billion.
A program is being implemented now to extend the life of the second unit for another decade and enhance its security and efficiency. The implementation of the program is planned to be completed by the end of 2021. --0---
He is quoted as saying that Armenia’s energy system is three-legged – it is based on atomic energy, thermal energy and hydro energy equally.
Avinyan said that atomic energy is very important to the country, and therefore the authorities are considering ways to build a new nuclear plant after Metsamor Nuclear Plant is closed.
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.
Now, only the second, 407.5-megawatt unit is operating. The European Union insists on closure of the plant, but Armenia intends to build a new, 600-megawatt unit. The project is estimated to cost around $5 billion.
A program is being implemented now to extend the life of the second unit for another decade and enhance its security and efficiency. The implementation of the program is planned to be completed by the end of 2021. --0---
