Closure of Armenian nuclear power plant to entail higher electricity prices
04.11.2016,
16:36
The closure of the Armenian nuclear power plant will entail higher electricity tariffs, the head of the National Union of Employers Gagik Makaryan told a news conference today.
YEREVAN, November 4. /ARKA/. The closure of the Armenian nuclear power plant will entail higher electricity tariffs, the head of the National Union of Employers Gagik Makaryan told a news conference today.
"The plant accounts for more than 30% of electricity produced in the country, therefore, if it is closed, the cheap electricity generator will no longer exist," – Makaryan said.
According to him, it is not known what steps the Armenian government could take, but the construction of a new nuclear power plant, pledged by the government is very far from reality.
"Even if a document for its construction is signed today, the construction itself would take years," - said Makaryan.
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.
Armenian authorities said they will build a new nuclear power plant to replace the aging facility. The new plant is supposed to operate at twice the capacity of the Soviet-constructed facility. The plant currently generates some 35 percent of Armenia's electricity.
In March 2014, Armenian government decided to extend the plant’s service life because of delay in building a new unit. The service life extension has become possible thanks to Russia’s financial resources. The country will provide $270 million to Armenia as loan and $30 million in grants. --0----
"The plant accounts for more than 30% of electricity produced in the country, therefore, if it is closed, the cheap electricity generator will no longer exist," – Makaryan said.
According to him, it is not known what steps the Armenian government could take, but the construction of a new nuclear power plant, pledged by the government is very far from reality.
"Even if a document for its construction is signed today, the construction itself would take years," - said Makaryan.
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.
Armenian authorities said they will build a new nuclear power plant to replace the aging facility. The new plant is supposed to operate at twice the capacity of the Soviet-constructed facility. The plant currently generates some 35 percent of Armenia's electricity.
In March 2014, Armenian government decided to extend the plant’s service life because of delay in building a new unit. The service life extension has become possible thanks to Russia’s financial resources. The country will provide $270 million to Armenia as loan and $30 million in grants. --0----
