There are almost no old parts left at Armenian NPP – minister

YEREVAN, October 4. /ARKA/. After a major modernization there are almost no old parts left at the Armenian Nuclear Power plant , Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Minister Gnel Sanosyan said today in a comment on Turkey's allegations that the facility's operation is unsafe.

"The nuclear power plant is indeed a very complex infrastructure, but the procedures related to it are quite simple and clear. There are safety standards, there are committees, groups, experts who have to confirm whether the plant meets the standards and after that whether it will work or not. Since 1993, the plant t has been upgraded to ensure safe operation," the minister said.

Earlier the parliament of Turkey sent a statement to the IAEA with a demand to take measures to close the Armenian nuclear power plant.

Earlier this year the Armenian government announced the launch of a process aimed at extending the service life of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant for another 10 years until 2036.

The government had already extended the service life of the facility for ten years until 2026 following a massive upgrade and technical re-equipment.

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 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. It accounts now for about 40% of the total electricity generation of the country.

In March 2014, the Armenian government decided to extend the plant’s service life up to 2026. The plan was financed by $270 million Russian loan and a $30 million grant.

The Armenian authorities are considering also a project to build a new nuclear power plant with a capacity of about 1000-1200 MW. -0-