Armenia eyes constructing new power plant in its territory
- 2 April, 01:28
Armenia is considering proposals from various countries for the construction of a new nuclear power plant within its borders, the General Director of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant, Eduard Martirosyan, announced On March 25. He made the remarks while attending the ATOMEXPO-2024 International Forum in Sochi.
Martirosyan mentioned that, under the guidance of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, a special interdepartmental commission has been established to determine the necessary power requirements and key characteristics of the future power unit.
He stressed the importance of conducting a thorough analysis, which includes assessing energy capabilities and selecting the optimal location for construction. Armenia has been in discussions with several organizations, including Russia's state corporation Rosatom. Additionally, Martirosyan expressed Armenia's eagerness to receive proposals from other countries with relevant experience, such as China, South Korea, the USA, and France. He emphasized that the primary criteria for selection are obtaining a modern, safe, and competitively priced station.
Regarding the construction timeline, Martirosyan estimated that it would take between eight to twelve years, with initial preparatory stages already underway. He mentioned that the new nuclear power plant could have a capacity of up to 1000 MW, although the decision on whether it will be stationary or modular has yet to be finalized.
During a press conference at the ATOMEXPO-2024 forum in Sochi on March 26, Kirill Komarov, the First Deputy Director General and Director of the Development and International Business Unit of the Russian state corporation "Rosatom," discussed the potential offerings of nuclear reactors to Armenia. Komarov stated that Rosatom is prepared to provide Armenia with nuclear reactors ranging from 50 to 1,000 MW in capacity.
He mentioned that the decision on which capacity block to construct ultimately rests with the Armenian government, considering various forecasts within the energy sector. Komarov also highlighted Armenia's interest in a 1,000-capacity block, especially if it could facilitate partial export to neighboring countries like Georgia.
Komarov assured Armenia of Rosatom's capabilities, stating that their product line allows for the fulfillment of any decision by the Armenian government. He emphasized the flexibility of Rosatom's offerings, ranging from 50 MW units to 1,000 MW reactors, with plans for a 600 MW reactor underway. However, he cautioned against low-capacity plants, which typically incur higher costs compared to high-capacity ones.
Komarov stressed the importance of finding a collaborative solution with the Armenian government that meets the energy system's needs while providing cost-effective and stable electricity to Armenian consumers. He concluded by reiterating Rosatom's readiness to accommodate any decision made by Armenian leadership, emphasizing their diverse range of technologies.
