ArmInfo. There is no alternative to nuclear energy in Armenia, so the question is the capacity of the new nuclear power unit. Such an idea became the cornerstone during the Round Table on the prospects for building a new nuclear power unit in Armenia, organized on August 5 by an initiative group of county's power engineers.
According to national expert of the UNDP on energy in Armenia Ara Marjanyan, the adopted decisions also indicate that there is no alternative to nuclear energy. According to the government energy development strategy until 2040, nuclear energy has taken its rightful place, the issue of developing the sector is the subject of discussion at the meetings of the Armenian-Russian intergovernmental commission. In addition, by the decision of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan, an interdepartmental working group was formed, which should study the possibilities for building a new unit in the country within two months, including modular reactors. As Marjanyan noted, this period expires tomorrow, August 6.
The expert noted that the term of operation of the current power unit of the Armenian NPP should be extended until 2036 by the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers. By this time, a new unit should be built. In this regard, Marjanyan pointed out the importance of building a North-South energy corridor, through which Armenia could trade electricity with the states of the region - Iran and Georgia, including electricity generated from a new nuclear power unit.
In turn, Dr. Tatul Manaseryan, Director of Alternative Research Center, pointing out the importance of the country's nuclear energy, which produces 40% of all electricity produced in the country, noted that it is of key importance for ensuring the national and energy security of Armenia. He considers the European Union's demand to close the current power unit, which was recorded in the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement as political one. Manaseryan urged the country's authorities to quickly determine the project for the construction of a new unit.
Meanwhile, according to Gera Sevikyan, chief advisor to the General Director of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant, the new unit with a capacity of 1,000 megawatts or more is capable of operating for 100 years, which creates good opportunities for long-term planning of the country's development. At the same time, the specialist pointed out the need to use a reference power unit in Armenia, that is, one that is already operating and has proven its effectiveness.
Earlier Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures of the Republic of Armenia Gnel Sanosyan noted that the Armenian authorities should make a difficult decision regarding the new unit, Russian, American or other capabilities. The priority factors in choosing a future nuclear power unit, will be the proposed capacity, safety, and only then - its cost. The new power unit should be built by 2036, until then the old power unit of the ANPP will operate.
Earlier the construction project of the Russian-made POI nuclear power unit with a capacity of 1200 MW nuclear power unit was announced. At the end of May this year, Maria Longi, Coordinator for U.S. Assistance to Europe, Eurasia, and Central Asia stated that in a number of countries, including Armenia, the U.S. was assessing the feasibility of small modular nuclear reactors built with US technology that could facilitate greater energy independence from both Russia and China.
She did not provide other details of the project. American small modular reactors are being developed by Westinghouse. In May, the company introduced the AP300 nuclear reactor with a capacity of 300 MW. It became a smaller copy of the flagship AP1000. The cost of one such unit is estimated at $1 billion, which is several times less than a full-fledged nuclear power plant, the cost of which is from $8 to $10 billion.
On March 23, 2023, the Armenian government decided to start the process of re-extension of the operation of the Armenian NPP until 2036. The design life of the nuclear power plant expired in 2016, but due to large-scale modernization and re-equipment work, it was extended until 2026. The work was financed by Russian credit and grant funds in the amount of $189 million and funds from the state budget of Armenia in the amount of 63.2 billion drams. Taking into account the work already performed and the opinions of relevant organizations and international experience in extending the life of similar power units, it is planned, through additional investments and work, to create opportunities for extending the design life of the second power unit of the Armenian NPP for another 10 years - from 2026 to 2036. The government decision envisages developing an appropriate program, evaluating the technical feasibility of extending the design life of the power unit, the necessary financial resources and the impact of possible investments on the tariff for the end consumer.
