Rosatom discusses expanding nuclear power units with Armenia: Minister

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
11 Nov 2022 23:32
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Armenian Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure meets with Deputy Director General for Science and Strategy of Rosatom to discuss cooperation on nuclear energy and expanding Yerevan's nuclear power plant

The Armenian ministry highlighted that the country has high scientific prospects in the nuclear energy field

The Armenian Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure announced that the country is discussing with Russia building a new nuclear power plant.

The Deputy Director General for Science and Strategy of Russian state-owned Rosatom, Yuri Olenin, led a delegation to Armenia to hold talks about the plans with the Armenian Minister Gnel Sanosyan.

In a statement, the ministry said that the "Possibilities of joint development of innovative technologies and solutions in the field of nuclear energy were planned," adding that, "During the meeting, a number of issues related to the construction of a new nuclear power unit were discussed."

The ministry highlighted that the country has high scientific prospects in the nuclear energy field, noting that it is of great importance that both countries cooperate on this matter which includes research and training of individuals.

Armenia established its first and currently only nuclear power plant in December 1976, the Metsamor plant, running on the VVER-440 model reactor and was able to add an extra reactor of the same model in 1980 to increase output.

Following a massive earthquake in 1988, both reactors were destroyed, however one was put in service again in 1995 and is still functional to this day.

Yerevan is planning on extending the current reactor's service to 2026 while simultaneously working with Rosatom to renovate the nuclear energy sector and expand the number of units.