Saturday, August 5 2023 18:15

ArmInfo. There is no alternative to nuclear energy in Armenia, so the question is the  capacity of the new nuclear power unit. Such an idea became the  cornerstone during the Round Table on the prospects for building a  new nuclear power unit in Armenia, organized on August 5 by an  initiative group of county's power engineers.

According to national expert of the UNDP on energy in Armenia Ara  Marjanyan, the adopted decisions also indicate that there is no  alternative to nuclear energy. According to the government energy  development strategy until 2040, nuclear energy has taken its  rightful place, the issue of developing the sector is the subject of  discussion at the meetings of the Armenian-Russian intergovernmental  commission. In addition, by the decision of the Prime Minister of the  Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan, an interdepartmental working  group was formed, which should study the possibilities for building a  new unit in the country within two months, including modular  reactors. As Marjanyan noted, this period expires tomorrow, August 6.

The expert noted that the term of operation of the current power unit  of the Armenian NPP should be extended until 2036 by the decision of  the Cabinet of Ministers. By this time, a new unit should be built.  In this regard, Marjanyan pointed out the importance of building a  North-South energy corridor, through which Armenia could trade  electricity with the states of the region - Iran and Georgia,  including electricity generated from a new nuclear power unit.

In turn, Dr. Tatul Manaseryan, Director of Alternative Research  Center,  pointing out the importance of the country's nuclear energy,  which produces 40% of all electricity produced in the country, noted  that it is of key importance for ensuring the national and energy  security of Armenia. He considers the European Union's demand to  close the current power unit, which was recorded  in the  Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement as political one.   Manaseryan urged the country's authorities to quickly determine the  project for the construction of a new unit.

Meanwhile, according to Gera Sevikyan, chief advisor to the General  Director of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant, the new unit with a  capacity of 1,000 megawatts or more is capable of operating for 100  years, which creates good opportunities for long-term planning of the  country's development. At the same time, the specialist pointed out  the need to use a reference power unit in Armenia,  that is, one that  is already operating and has proven its effectiveness.

Earlier Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures of  the Republic of Armenia Gnel Sanosyan noted that the Armenian  authorities should make a difficult decision regarding the new unit,  Russian,  American or other capabilities. The priority factors in  choosing a future nuclear power unit, will be the proposed capacity,  safety, and only then - its cost. The new power unit should be built  by 2036, until then the old power unit of the ANPP will operate.

Earlier the construction project of the Russian-made POI nuclear  power unit with a capacity of 1200 MW nuclear power unit was  announced. At the end of May this year, Maria Longi, Coordinator for  U.S. Assistance to Europe, Eurasia, and  Central Asia stated that in  a number of countries, including  Armenia, the U.S. was assessing the  feasibility of small modular  nuclear reactors built with US  technology that could facilitate  greater energy independence from  both Russia and China.

She did not provide other details of the project. American small  modular reactors are being developed by Westinghouse. In May, the  company introduced the AP300 nuclear reactor with a capacity of 300  MW. It became a smaller copy of the flagship AP1000. The cost of one  such unit is estimated at $1 billion, which is several times less  than a full-fledged nuclear power plant, the cost of which is from $8  to $10 billion.

On March 23, 2023, the Armenian government decided to start the   process of re-extension of the operation of the Armenian NPP until   2036. The design life of the nuclear power plant expired in 2016, but   due to large-scale modernization and re-equipment work, it was   extended until 2026. The work was financed by Russian credit and   grant funds in the amount of $189 million and funds from the state   budget of Armenia in the amount of 63.2 billion drams.  Taking into   account the work already performed and the opinions of relevant   organizations and international experience in extending the life of   similar power units, it is planned, through additional investments   and work, to create opportunities for extending the design life of   the second power unit of the Armenian NPP for another 10 years - from   2026 to 2036. The government decision envisages developing an   appropriate program, evaluating the technical feasibility of   extending the design life of the power unit, the necessary financial   resources and the impact of possible investments on the tariff for   the end consumer.