No decision on new nuclear fuel made yet - official
The issue of the construction of a new nuclear power unit in Armenia, its combination with the country's energy system, and other technical parameters is under discussion, reads a response of the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures of the Republic of Armenia signed by Deputy Minister Hakob Vardanyan in response to a request from ArmInfo.
The request contained a request to answer a question related to previous statements by the head of the department, Gnel Sanosyan, about the need to make a decision on the capacity of the new nuclear power unit by the end of this year. Meanwhile, the year is ending, and there is no decision yet.
The Deputy Minister's response emphasizes that based on the results of the discussions, an appropriate decision will be made, including on the capacity of the new nuclear power unit, after which the corresponding construction program will be approved. "At the same time, we inform you that no decision has been made on the technology of the new nuclear power unit," the deputy minister noted in his response.
When asked what type of reactor the department is leaning towards, given that the United States has closed the program of small modular power plants, Vardanyan noted that in this case we are talking about only one company. Meanwhile, in the United States, several companies are developing and using small modular nuclear power plants. "The information about the closure of the program apparently concerned individual companies," the deputy minister emphasized.
Speaking about the possibility of abandoning the idea of building a new nuclear power plant after the expiration of the N2 power unit of the Armenian NPP, relying on alternative and renewable energy sources, the deputy head of the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures noted that the country's nuclear energy is an important component of the state's energy security.
According to the Energy Development Strategy of Armenia until 2040, it is planned to build a new unit for the country by the time the operating life of the existing power unit expires. "The development of nuclear and renewable energy will make it possible to create in the country an energy sector that is as neutral as possible with respect to hydrocarbon raw materials," the response notes.
In 2024, the implementation of a program to extend the life of the N2 power unit until 2036 will begin at the Armenian NPP.
20.2 billion drams will be allocated for these purposes. In parallel, a new nuclear power unit must be built in the country by the specified date. The question is the power of this unit, which must be combined with the country's energy system. Previously, the United States offered Yerevan its option for the construction of small modular reactors, which was announced by Maria Longi, Coordinator of U.S. Assistance to Europe, Eurasia, and Central Asia.
In turn, the Russian Federation proposed its project for a power unit with a capacity of 1200 MW, but, as the Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of the Republic of Armenia Gnel Sanosyan previously pointed out, the construction of a unit of such capacity is fraught with problems, since the capacity of the entire energy system of Armenia is still the same 1200 MW. "By the end of 2023, we must make a difficult decision on the type of reactor," the minister emphasized.
Alexandr Avanesov