Armenia is forced to drastically revise its energy security strategy. Instead of the previously planned small modular reactors, the country’s authorities are now considering the possibility of building a large nuclear power plant with a capacity of 1000 megawatts. The reason is the sudden shortage of electricity caused by the influx of artificial intelligence factories.

During the briefing held in the government, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan frankly stated that the previous calculations of the energy sector are no longer relevant. “It is possible that a 1000 megawatt nuclear power plant is the most logical solution,” the head of the executive stated.

He reminded that back in the spring he gave preference to modular plants, counting on the growth of solar energy, but the market dictates other rules. “A year and four months ago, the Republic of Armenia was a country with a surplus of electricity and we had to think about where to consume our excess energy. After a year, the Republic of Armenia has become a state with a deficit of electricity,” the Prime Minister noted.

According to Pashinyan, the situation has radically changed after the memorandum signed with the US President on August 8. Following that, large investment projects in the field of artificial intelligence have completely exhausted the country’s energy reserves. Now foreign investors are demanding written guarantees from the government for uninterrupted power supply to their facilities.

“In the past, I have said dozens of times that we do not need anything more than a modular nuclear power plant… But now due to this change, we have to understand, because the modular will most likely not be enough for us anymore,” Pashinyan emphasized, adding that the issue is already in the stage of intensive expert discussions.

Yerevan must choose a new nuclear technology by the end of 2027, but the government is in a hurry because the construction of a new nuclear power plant and its connection to the grid require about 7-8 years. It is noteworthy that these statements were preceded by the Prime Minister’s meeting with the head of the Russian “Rosatom” Corporation, Alexey Likhachev, who presented the Russian projects of small and medium power plants.

The Metsamor nuclear power plant, which currently supplies up to 30 percent of Armenia’s energy demand, will be operational until 2036 thanks to the $65 million modernization project signed with Rosatom. According to those responsible for the sector, this gives the authorities the necessary time to make a strategic decision.