Measures for extending Metsamor NPP operation period underway – minister

Measures planned under the program to extend the operation period of the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant are currently being implemented. Armenia has also received proposals from several countries regarding the construction of a new nuclear power plant.

The Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of the Republic of Armenia, David Khudatyan, addressed the ongoing work to extend the plant’s operation period.

“At the moment, the nuclear power plant is disconnected from Armenia’s energy system, which means that the measures planned for the operation period extension are being implemented. The planned outage will last about five months. This is the longest operation period extension program so far.

We usually disconnect the plant from the energy system for maintenance programs from one month to forty days each year. The current five-month program is proceeding normally, after which the plant’s operation period will be extended. We believe the Metsamor nuclear power plant should remain part of the energy system until the construction of a new nuclear power plant is completed,” the minister said.

Referring to the construction of a new facility, Khudatyan emphasized that the Armenian government is considering the option of building small modular nuclear power plants.

“However, at this stage, we are not in a hurry to decide which model we will choose or which country’s proposal we will prefer, as we have time. The Metsamor plant’s life extension program allows us not to rush. I hope that in the near future we will decide on the model and reach an agreement with the contractor company based on that choice,” he noted.

According to the minister, the new nuclear power plant will become the largest construction project in Armenia.

“It will remain the largest construction site in the country for a long time, as we are talking about investments worth several billion dollars,” Khudatyan said.

When asked whether Armenia would cooperate with Russia or the United States on the project, the minister stated that the decision will depend on the model the government would select.

“We have received proposals not only from Russia and the United States, but also from China, Korea, and France. Our teams have visited these countries to study their experience. The technology is evolving rapidly, which is why we are not rushing to make a decision,” Khudatyan added.