NO ALTERNATIVE FOR THE PROJECT OF A SECOND ATOMIC POWER PLANT IN ARMENIA
By Aghavni Harutiunian

AZG Armenian Daily
26/12/2006

MAGATE and USAID Assist Working Out the Technical and Economic Sides
of the project

Armenian Minister of Power Engineering Armen Movsisian started his
yesterday interview by congratulating the energy sphere workers
in connection with their professional holiday. As one of ten most
important events in the energy sphere of Armenia he pointed out the
enhancement of the security system of the Armenian Atomic Power Plant
and the MAGATE conference dedicated to the project of construction
of a new nuclear power plant in Armenia. The minister stated that is
commonly accepted that the only alternative power source in Armenia
may become a second nuclear power plant.

Mr. Movsisian said that an agreement about constructing a new power
plant has been made with MAGATE and USAID. He said that Armenia
at resent cannot afford the construction, therefore a corresponding
legislation on the project’s crediting has been also adopted. According
to the Minister, the construction of the new power plant will take
7-8 years.

Mr. Movsisian also emphasized the trilateral meeting of the Power
Engineering Minister’s of Armenia, Georgia and Iran and their agreement
about common exploitation of energy infrastructures, communications
and other issues. He assured that this agreement will give Armenia the
opportunity of playing an important role in the regional crossroad
of energy communications. Mr. Movsisian said that the participant
the decision to include also Russia in the next talks.

The Power Engineering Minister of Armenia also informed that $160
cost re-equipment project of the Yerevan Hydro Power plant will be
finished by the end of 2008. The effectively of the Hrazdan Heat
Power Plant will be also increased after the re-equipment provided
for by the agreement with Gazprom.

Nevertheless the minister said that the electricity fees in Armenia
will not be lowered, as all the enhancements were made due to credits
from foreign states, which are still to be repaid.

70% of energy supply in Armenia, which is at present provided by
nuclear and heat source, will son be party covered by the sphere
of recoverable energy industry – more hydro power plats will be
constructed and joined to the currently functioning 50 and their
gross output will reach 500 million kilowatt per hour. Progress in
the wind and geothermic energy is also expected.

The Minister reported that Armenia at present does not supply
electricity to Georgia, but the latter has already made a request,
particularities of which are already under consideration.

In connection with the privatization of the NAIRIT factory,
Armen Movsisian said that an agreement with 3 main rubber consumer
enterprises of Armenia has been achieved. He said that import export
of Armenian rubber to USA and Europe has been established. $120 million
will be put up for the technical re-equipment of eth NAIRIT factory.