JAM News
Armenian nuclear power plant to continue running, but supplemented by new power unit
JAMnews, Yerevan
Artur Xachatryan
The authorities of the country have stated that they have no obligation to close the nuclear power station, but there is a need to find sources to replace it
Operations of nuclear power plant must be extended
The Metsamor nuclear power plant has been the subject of controversy for a long time.
Some international structures, including the European Union, insist on either the closure or modernization of the station.
The EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement demands that Armenian close the nuclear power plant and replace it with new energy capacities. But the authorities of the country have already stated that the terms of operation will be extended because Armenia is currently unable to build a new plant or extend its existing capacity.
At the moment, work is underway that will prolong the safe operation of the station. However, it is unclear how long this period will be extended.
A new power unit will also reportedly be built and will cost Armenia $5 billion.
The nuclear power plant will close when other power sources are brought online
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that the issue of closing the nuclear power plant is not on the agenda. The agreement with the EU, he says, does not demand the closure of the power plant:
“I want to state that in the Agreement on Comprehensive and Expanded Partnership, the topic of closing the nuclear power plant is linked to the creation of energy sources of adequate power. Our agenda is not the closure of nuclear power plants, but extending their capacities.”
The Metsamor nuclear power plant
Armenia’s Metsamor nuclear power plant has remained a key link in the republic’s energy security system for more than twenty years.
It provides for about 40 per cent of the electricity generated in Armenia.
It was commissioned in 1977. After the devastating earthquake in the north of the country in 1988, the USSR Council of Ministers and the Council of Ministers of the Armenian SSR decided to shut down the nuclear power plant. This was due to the likelihood of repeated shocks.
However, five years later in 1993, the authorities of independent Armenia went to restart the second power unit of the station. In the absence of other real sources of electricity, it was the only way out of the energy crisis that began in the country after the collapse of the USSR and the blockade by Turkey and Azerbaijan.
Nuclear energy continues to occupy an important place in the overall energy system of the country.
