Metsamor NPP in Armenia to remain safe beyond 2036, minister says

Armenia’s nuclear power plant will be able to operate safely beyond 2036, Armenian Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Davit Khudatyan has stated.

He said nuclear power plants similar to Armenia’s facility have operated safely in various countries for more than 50 years, noting that the Armenian plant is comparatively younger, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

“It is important to note that we operate our nuclear power plant in cooperation with leading global companies, conducting both tests and analyses. I am confident that our plant will continue to operate safely for a long time, not only until 2036, but also beyond that period,” he added.

The minister also recalled that the government has already selected a model for a new plant to replace the current one, specifically a modular nuclear power station.

He further stessed that the decision on which country’s technology will be used is likely to be made in 2027, stressing that cost considerations will play a key role as they will affect electricity tariffs for the population.

The Armenian Nuclear Power Plant, located near the town of Metsamor, about 30 km from Yerevan, was built during the Soviet era and consists of two power units. The second unit was modernised by Rosatom Service, after which Armenia’s regulatory authority extended its operating license until 2026.

Russia currently provides maintenance and nuclear fuel supplies for the facility.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov