Armenia announces plans to build new nuclear power plant by 2036

• 3 months ago (2024-09-20)
• David Flin

Asia 897 Nuclear 665

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Gnel Sanosyan, Armenia’s Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, has announced plans to construct a new nuclear power plant in the country with a capacity of 400-600 MW.

This new plant is scheduled to be operational before the current Armenian Nuclear Power Plant reaches the end of its service life in 2036. Sanosyan emphasised that the new nuclear power plant will be designed to seamlessly integrate into the country’s energy system without becoming its dominant component.

Sanosyan also outlined the current structure of Armenia’s energy sector with 40 per cent of its electricity being generated by the nuclear power plant, 30 per cent by thermal power plants, 20 per cent by hydropower plants, and 10 per cent by solar power plants. He noted the rapid growth of solar energy, which has risen from just 1 per cent a few years ago, and that the Armenian government is exploring potential wind power projects.

Currently, operation of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant is dependent on Russia’s Rosatom for both fuel supplies and technological upgrades. However, in August, the Armenian government established a state-owned company to build a new nuclear power unit to replace the existing plant. It is expected that this new company will present a construction plan within the next two years, including selection of a technology supplier and the plant’s capacity. Armenian officials have stated their intention to explore cooperation options with China, South Korea, and the United States.