New 1,000 MW Nuclear Power Plant Could Be the Most Logical Solution for Armenia: PM
01.10.2026,
14:35
Building a new 1,000 MW nuclear power plant could be the most logical solution for Armenia, given the country's growing demand for electricity, stated Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
YEREVAN, October 1. /ARKA/. Building a new 1,000 MW nuclear power plant could be the most logical solution for Armenia, given the country's growing demand for electricity, stated Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
At a briefing on Thursday, he addressed the prospects of constructing a new nuclear power unit in the country and discussed its potential capacity, taking into account factors such as the development of artificial intelligence and the creation of AI infrastructure.
Pashinyan noted that the energy situation in the country had changed significantly over a short period. "A year and four months ago, Armenia was a state with an electricity surplus, and we had to consider how to utilize that excess power. A year later, Armenia became a state with an electricity deficit," he said.
The Prime Minister attributed this shift to the scale of investment programs approved following the memorandum signed between Armenia and the US on August 8.
"The issue isn't that two AI facilities were established subsequently; rather, the approved investment programs are of such a scale that the Republic of Armenia is already facing an electricity deficit. Investment programs are consuming our entire surplus," Pashinyan stated.
According to him, given the current situation, the government needs to consider both electricity import options and the creation of new generating capacities.
Pashinyan recalled that Armenian authorities had previously focused on building a small modular nuclear power plant. "I have said many times before that we didn't need anything other than a modular nuclear power plant." "That was our position. However, given the changes, we need to reassess the situation, as a modular plant will, in all likelihood, not be sufficient for our needs," he said.
The Prime Minister emphasized that determining the capacity of the future nuclear power plant requires considering not only current energy consumption but also projected demand ten years down the line.
"AI data centers are already submitting written requests to us for electricity. We are already finding it difficult to address these inquiries. We will make a decision soon. It is quite possible that a 1,000-megawatt nuclear power plant will prove to be the most logical solution. However, I cannot say for certain right now, as an expert assessment is currently underway," Pashinyan stated.
According to him, Armenia needs to make a final decision regarding the specifications of the new nuclear power plant by the end of 2027, though it would be preferable to do so sooner. "Constructing a nuclear power plant takes 7–8 years before it can be connected to the grid," the Prime Minister explained.
Earlier, during a briefing, Alexey Likhachev, Director General of the state corporation Rosatom, stated in response to a question from the ARKA news agency that Russia had presented Armenia with a concrete proposal to build a new nuclear power unit with a capacity of 1 GW.
He noted that with Armenia's energy consumption growing by 4% annually—and taking into account the scheduled decommissioning of the existing power unit by 2036—the country could face a generation capacity deficit of approximately 1 GW. Likhachev affirmed that the Russian side is prepared to build a power unit of that capacity in Armenia.
On the New Nuclear Power Plant
During a meeting with Alexey Likhachev, Director General of the state corporation Rosatom, the Armenian Prime Minister stated that a decision regarding the construction of a new nuclear power plant in Armenia would be made in the near future.
Armenian authorities are considering various options for building a new nuclear power unit intended to eventually replace the existing Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant. Key criteria for selecting the project include safety, cost, construction timelines, and economic efficiency.
A program is currently underway to extend the service life of the Armenian NPP’s second power unit until 2036; a further 10-year extension (to 2046) is also being considered.
At a briefing on Thursday, he addressed the prospects of constructing a new nuclear power unit in the country and discussed its potential capacity, taking into account factors such as the development of artificial intelligence and the creation of AI infrastructure.
Pashinyan noted that the energy situation in the country had changed significantly over a short period. "A year and four months ago, Armenia was a state with an electricity surplus, and we had to consider how to utilize that excess power. A year later, Armenia became a state with an electricity deficit," he said.
The Prime Minister attributed this shift to the scale of investment programs approved following the memorandum signed between Armenia and the US on August 8.
"The issue isn't that two AI facilities were established subsequently; rather, the approved investment programs are of such a scale that the Republic of Armenia is already facing an electricity deficit. Investment programs are consuming our entire surplus," Pashinyan stated.
According to him, given the current situation, the government needs to consider both electricity import options and the creation of new generating capacities.
Pashinyan recalled that Armenian authorities had previously focused on building a small modular nuclear power plant. "I have said many times before that we didn't need anything other than a modular nuclear power plant." "That was our position. However, given the changes, we need to reassess the situation, as a modular plant will, in all likelihood, not be sufficient for our needs," he said.
The Prime Minister emphasized that determining the capacity of the future nuclear power plant requires considering not only current energy consumption but also projected demand ten years down the line.
"AI data centers are already submitting written requests to us for electricity. We are already finding it difficult to address these inquiries. We will make a decision soon. It is quite possible that a 1,000-megawatt nuclear power plant will prove to be the most logical solution. However, I cannot say for certain right now, as an expert assessment is currently underway," Pashinyan stated.
According to him, Armenia needs to make a final decision regarding the specifications of the new nuclear power plant by the end of 2027, though it would be preferable to do so sooner. "Constructing a nuclear power plant takes 7–8 years before it can be connected to the grid," the Prime Minister explained.
Earlier, during a briefing, Alexey Likhachev, Director General of the state corporation Rosatom, stated in response to a question from the ARKA news agency that Russia had presented Armenia with a concrete proposal to build a new nuclear power unit with a capacity of 1 GW.
He noted that with Armenia's energy consumption growing by 4% annually—and taking into account the scheduled decommissioning of the existing power unit by 2036—the country could face a generation capacity deficit of approximately 1 GW. Likhachev affirmed that the Russian side is prepared to build a power unit of that capacity in Armenia.
On the New Nuclear Power Plant
During a meeting with Alexey Likhachev, Director General of the state corporation Rosatom, the Armenian Prime Minister stated that a decision regarding the construction of a new nuclear power plant in Armenia would be made in the near future.
Armenian authorities are considering various options for building a new nuclear power unit intended to eventually replace the existing Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant. Key criteria for selecting the project include safety, cost, construction timelines, and economic efficiency.
A program is currently underway to extend the service life of the Armenian NPP’s second power unit until 2036; a further 10-year extension (to 2046) is also being considered.
