Rosatom completing comprehensive study of Armenian NPP
20.04.2016,
16:13
Russian nuclear energy corporation Rosatom is completing a comprehensive inspection of the Armenian nuclear power plant as part of a project designed to extend its service life until 2026, Rosatom deputy director Kirill Komarov said today when speaking at the second meeting of the steering committee set up to handle the extension of the service life of the plant.
YEREVAN, April 20. /ARKA/. Russian nuclear energy corporation Rosatom is completing a comprehensive inspection of the Armenian nuclear power plant as part of a project designed to extend its service life until 2026, Rosatom deputy director Kirill Komarov said today when speaking at the second meeting of the steering committee set up to handle the extension of the service life of the plant. The gathering was held in Yerevan on Wednesday.
He said more than 100 Russian experts, as well as local ones, were involved in the comprehensive study of the facility. He added that about 4,500 pieces of equipment have been examined.
Komarov said part of the equipment will continue to work while some other components will be repaired, and another part will be replaced.
"We are aware of our responsibility for the implementation of this modernization project, which will allow to safely extend the service life of the Armenian nuclear power plant. This project is being implemented not only as a cooperation project between Rosatom and the Armenian nuclear power plant, but as an interstate project, which is very important in the relations between Russia and Armenia," Komarov said.
"We are confident that the Armenian NPP, which generates about one third of locally produced electricity will be successfully upgraded,' said Komarov.
Speaking about Armenian government’s plan to build a new nuclear power plant, he said the idea is being obstacle by the economic feasibility.
"We will be glad to implement this project, especially that there is an intergovernmental agreement on this issue signed by Armenia and Russia. It has not been canceled, and if we understand that there is economic justification for it, we will try to implement it,' said Komarov.
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----
He said more than 100 Russian experts, as well as local ones, were involved in the comprehensive study of the facility. He added that about 4,500 pieces of equipment have been examined.
Komarov said part of the equipment will continue to work while some other components will be repaired, and another part will be replaced.
"We are aware of our responsibility for the implementation of this modernization project, which will allow to safely extend the service life of the Armenian nuclear power plant. This project is being implemented not only as a cooperation project between Rosatom and the Armenian nuclear power plant, but as an interstate project, which is very important in the relations between Russia and Armenia," Komarov said.
"We are confident that the Armenian NPP, which generates about one third of locally produced electricity will be successfully upgraded,' said Komarov.
Speaking about Armenian government’s plan to build a new nuclear power plant, he said the idea is being obstacle by the economic feasibility.
"We will be glad to implement this project, especially that there is an intergovernmental agreement on this issue signed by Armenia and Russia. It has not been canceled, and if we understand that there is economic justification for it, we will try to implement it,' said Komarov.
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----
