Safe operation of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant is a strategic priority for Armenia – Pashinyan
26.09.2025,
10:04
The safe operation of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant (ANPP) is a strategic priority for the Armenian government, stated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
YEREVAN, September 25. /ARKA/. The safe operation of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant (ANPP) is a strategic priority for the Armenian government, stated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
"The Armenian government has approved a policy of preserving the nuclear power plant as a vital component of the country's electricity balance. Today, approximately 30% of all electricity in Armenia is generated by the ANPP," he said, speaking at World Atomic Week in Moscow.
Noting that the strategic importance of nuclear energy places a special responsibility on the government to present and future generations, Pashinyan said that every effort is being made to maintain the highest safety standards during the operation of the ANPP.
"We regularly conduct verification and expert assessment missions, the reports of which clearly demonstrate that Armenia operates its nuclear power plant in accordance with IAEA safety standards, as evidenced by the absence of any incidents related to nuclear or radiation safety," he emphasized.
Stating that this principle underpinned the extensive modernization carried out at the plant in recent years, the Prime Minister said that this has enabled it to extend its service life until 2026.
"Based on similar experience, Armenia, like many other countries, has decided to operate the nuclear power plant from 2026 to 2036. The modernization and life extension project for the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant is not simply a technical task, but the result of a fruitful and trusting partnership between Armenia and the Rosatom corporation and other international partners," he said. This extension, he said, will lay a solid foundation for a smooth transition to a new power unit upon completion of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant's extended lifespan, which is Armenia's ultimate goal.
In this context, Pashinyan noted that Armenia intends to further develop close cooperation with the IAEA and partner countries to determine the optimal solution for replacing the existing power unit, taking into account cost effectiveness, safety, and the specific characteristics and nature of the country's energy system.
He expressed hope for the active continuation of the planned work and its successful completion within the established timeframe.
About the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant
The Armenian Nuclear Power Plant, 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 main sources of electricity, providing up to 40% of its total output. Its service life has been extended until 2026, and work is underway to renew it for another 10 years. The new nuclear power plant is planned to be built within 8-10 years. Various options are currently being compared and the experience of partners from Russia, the United States, and South Korea is 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, responding 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.
"The Armenian government has approved a policy of preserving the nuclear power plant as a vital component of the country's electricity balance. Today, approximately 30% of all electricity in Armenia is generated by the ANPP," he said, speaking at World Atomic Week in Moscow.
Noting that the strategic importance of nuclear energy places a special responsibility on the government to present and future generations, Pashinyan said that every effort is being made to maintain the highest safety standards during the operation of the ANPP.
"We regularly conduct verification and expert assessment missions, the reports of which clearly demonstrate that Armenia operates its nuclear power plant in accordance with IAEA safety standards, as evidenced by the absence of any incidents related to nuclear or radiation safety," he emphasized.
Stating that this principle underpinned the extensive modernization carried out at the plant in recent years, the Prime Minister said that this has enabled it to extend its service life until 2026.
"Based on similar experience, Armenia, like many other countries, has decided to operate the nuclear power plant from 2026 to 2036. The modernization and life extension project for the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant is not simply a technical task, but the result of a fruitful and trusting partnership between Armenia and the Rosatom corporation and other international partners," he said. This extension, he said, will lay a solid foundation for a smooth transition to a new power unit upon completion of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant's extended lifespan, which is Armenia's ultimate goal.
In this context, Pashinyan noted that Armenia intends to further develop close cooperation with the IAEA and partner countries to determine the optimal solution for replacing the existing power unit, taking into account cost effectiveness, safety, and the specific characteristics and nature of the country's energy system.
He expressed hope for the active continuation of the planned work and its successful completion within the established timeframe.
About the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant
The Armenian Nuclear Power Plant, 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 main sources of electricity, providing up to 40% of its total output. Its service life has been extended until 2026, and work is underway to renew it for another 10 years. The new nuclear power plant is planned to be built within 8-10 years. Various options are currently being compared and the experience of partners from Russia, the United States, and South Korea is 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, responding 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.
