Operation of Metsamor NPP to be extended until 2036-2046
Armenia is currently in a cycle of extending the operation of the nuclear power plant until 2036, after which another 10-year extension phase is envisaged, meaning until 2046. RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced this during a question-and-answer session with the Government in the National Assembly, responding to a question from Deputy Speaker of the NA Ruben Rubinyan.
The latter inquired about when and under what conditions the Metsamor NPP would be closed, whether there are plans to build a new nuclear power plant, what it would be like, and with whom the cooperation would be carried out.
Pashinyan stated that cooperation with the USA in the field of nuclear energy is being discussed in Armenia, and the final decision will be made in favor of the project that best aligns with Armenia’s interests.
He also recalled that on February 9, in Yerevan, US Vice President J.D. Vance signed an agreement under which the US will supply Armenia with small modular reactors worth a total of 9 billion dollars: the initial 5 billion dollars is intended for equipment, and the remaining 4 billion dollars for fuel supply and long-term maintenance of the reactor.
Meanwhile, Dmitry Peskov, the press secretary of the President of the Russian Federation, speaking about the nuclear projects of Yerevan and Washington, noted that Russia’s expertise in the nuclear sector is greater than that of the US, while the cost of services is lower.
