IAEA Director General welcomes improvement of safety at Armenian NPP
YEREVAN, October 5. /ARKA/. The IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi stated after his visit to the Armenian NPP that the level of its safety has improved.
"Armenian economy relies on Metsamor NPP and the IAEA will continue to offer support, to help the plant provide low-carbon energy safely and securely. Pleased to see the safety and security improvements made to Metsamor and impressed with the commitment of its dedicated staff,’ Grossi tweeted.
The IAEA head also visited the Armenian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (ANRA).
"Regulatory authorities play an irreplaceable role in providing the appropriate framework and conditions necessary for nuclear safety and security. The IAEA is ready to further expand cooperation with the regulator, especially as Armenia assesses the prospects of building small modular reactors in the country," Grossi noted.
The Armenian Nuclear Power Plant, the only one in the South Caucasus region, is located near the town of Metsamor, about 30 kilometers west of Yerevan. It accounts for about 40% of the total electricity generation of the country.
In June, 2022 the Armenian NPP CJSC and the Rusatom Overseas JSC (a division of Russian state atomic concern Rosatom) signed a MoU to start preparations for building a new nuclear power unit in Armenia.
The Armenian authorities are considering several options – either a power unit with a capacity of about 1000 or 1200 MW, or two power units with 1000 MW capacity each. -0-
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11:45 10/05/2022