Rosatom CEO Invites Pashinyan to Explore New Nuclear Technologies
YEREVAN, December 12. /ARКА/. Rosatom (Russian State Atomiс Energy Corporation) CEO Alexei Likhachev, during a tour for CIS heads of government, described the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant (ANPP), which survived a major earthquake in 1988, the best nuclear project of the former Soviet Union.
He made this statement on Friday during a tour of the Atom Museum in Moscow attended by Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, and PMs of other CIS countries, Interfax reports.
In particular, Likhachev recalled the history of the Armenian NPP, which uses VVER-440 seismic-resistant reactors. It survived the Spitak earthquake in 1988 and was shut down. However, the second power unit was subsequently restored and restarted.
"This is simply our pride. This is the best nuclear project of the Soviet Union, which is still operating," Likhachev said.
He added that the operating life of the ANPP's existing unit has been extended until 2026. The Armenian government has adopted a resolution to begin the process of extending the operation of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant until 2036.
"Almost every quarter, I the Prime Minister of Armenia and say, 'Nikol Vovayevich, when should I come over? We're ready to solve everything,'" Likhachev added.
He also said that Rosatom is "inviting" its partners to the fourth generation of nuclear energy, which involves the development of pressurized water technologies, fast neutron reactors, and a closed nuclear fuel cycle.
"This is a completely new level of safety, it's waste-free production, and it reduces uranium demand exponentially—hundredfold. This way, we'll secure our reserves for millennia from the already explored deposits," Likhachev emphasized.
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 extend it for another 10 years.
The government plans to buil a new nuclear power plant. Various options are currently being compared and the experience of partners from Russia, the United States, and South Korea is being studied.-0-
