Rosatom CEO Assesses Armenia's Need for a New Nuclear Power Plant "to Cover Energy Deficit"
06.07.2026,
19:11
Armenia may need a large or medium-capacity nuclear power plant in the coming years to cover its energy deficit, according to Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev.
YEREVAN, July 6. /ARKA/. Armenia may need a large or medium-capacity nuclear power plant in the coming years to cover its energy deficit, according to Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev.
"What is the main issue in the coming days in our work with our Armenian partners? This is the next step, the further development of nuclear technology. We take the following position: currently, 30% of Armenia's electricity is nuclear, but demand is growing, and it is very possible that the electricity capacity deficit in Armenia will reach even 1 GW in the coming decades. We need to be prepared for this. "Our answer is: a large or medium-capacity station, one or two units that will cover future energy shortages for decades to come," the head of Rosatom said in an interview with Vesti on the sidelines of the Innoprom-2026 forum.
According to TASS, Likhachev added that Armenia's nuclear expertise and its nuclear industry are "a sign of a high-quality economy, a sign of a high-quality industry" for the country.
Armenian authorities previously stated that they had already decided on the type of the future (new) nuclear power plant—modular—and that the specific model would be selected by the end of 2027.
About the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant
The Armenian Nuclear Power Plant is the only nuclear power plant in the South Caucasus region. It is located near the town of Metsamor, approximately 30 km west of Yerevan. The plant is one of the country's key sources of electricity, providing up to 40% of its total generation.
Its service life was previously extended until 2026. and is extended again until 2036.
Armenian authorities plan to build a new nuclear power plant within 8-10 years. Various options and the experience of partners in the United States, France, China, Russia, and South Korea are currently being studied.
A preliminary feasibility study for the construction of a new 1,200 MW unit, developed by the Rosatom state corporation, is already under review by the Armenian side.
Earlier, Rosatom First Deputy Director General Kirill Komarov, in response to a question from the ARKA news agency, stated that the corporation could offer Armenia nuclear reactors with capacities ranging from 50 to 1,000 MW. He added that it is possible, in particular, to assemble a reactor of any capacity from 50 MW units.
"What is the main issue in the coming days in our work with our Armenian partners? This is the next step, the further development of nuclear technology. We take the following position: currently, 30% of Armenia's electricity is nuclear, but demand is growing, and it is very possible that the electricity capacity deficit in Armenia will reach even 1 GW in the coming decades. We need to be prepared for this. "Our answer is: a large or medium-capacity station, one or two units that will cover future energy shortages for decades to come," the head of Rosatom said in an interview with Vesti on the sidelines of the Innoprom-2026 forum.
According to TASS, Likhachev added that Armenia's nuclear expertise and its nuclear industry are "a sign of a high-quality economy, a sign of a high-quality industry" for the country.
Armenian authorities previously stated that they had already decided on the type of the future (new) nuclear power plant—modular—and that the specific model would be selected by the end of 2027.
About the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant
The Armenian Nuclear Power Plant is the only nuclear power plant in the South Caucasus region. It is located near the town of Metsamor, approximately 30 km west of Yerevan. The plant is one of the country's key sources of electricity, providing up to 40% of its total generation.
Its service life was previously extended until 2026. and is extended again until 2036.
Armenian authorities plan to build a new nuclear power plant within 8-10 years. Various options and the experience of partners in the United States, France, China, Russia, and South Korea are currently being studied.
A preliminary feasibility study for the construction of a new 1,200 MW unit, developed by the Rosatom state corporation, is already under review by the Armenian side.
Earlier, Rosatom First Deputy Director General Kirill Komarov, in response to a question from the ARKA news agency, stated that the corporation could offer Armenia nuclear reactors with capacities ranging from 50 to 1,000 MW. He added that it is possible, in particular, to assemble a reactor of any capacity from 50 MW units.
