ROBERT KOCHARIAN: ARMENIA SHOULD HAVE ATOMIC POWER ENGINEERING

Arka News Agency, Armenia
April 28 2007

YEREVAN, April 28. /ARKA/. Armenia should have atomic power
engineering, Armenian President Robert Kocharian reported at the
meeting with students of the Yerevan State University on Friday.

"To date, there are two options of development of atomic power
engineering in the country: construction of a new nuclear power plant
and a project of modernization of the existing Armenian NPP," he said.

According to Kocharyan, the final decision will be made in 2012-2013.

At the same time, the president pointed out that as early as in
2008-2009 active steps toward elaboration of possible NPP-related
projects, currently under consideration.

"It is very important to us to use such a model of atomic power
engineering development that will not increase prices for electric
energy and tell on the prices both to the consumer and our
manufacturers," the president said.

The Armenian NPP was launched in 1976. Now only the second power unit
with 407.5 MWt generating capacity operate. The ANPP’s share amounts
to 40% of the overall power generation in the country.

According to specialists, the power plant can work until 2016. Energy
minister previously reported that Armenia plans to build a new power
unit with 1000 MWt generating capacity. It will cost over $1bln.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress