Armenia and the IAEA discuss the extension of the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant and the selection of the reactor type for a new nuclear power plant

On September 15, Armenian Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure David·Khudatyan and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael·Mariano·Grossi held talks in Vienna, during which the two sides held in-depth discussions on the progress of the life extension project for Unit 2 of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant (ANPP) and the selection of the reactor type for a new nuclear power plant.

According to a message posted by Khudatyan on social media, the talks were held during the 70th IAEA General Conference.

“We discussed with Rafael·Grossi the ongoing and planned projects under the framework of industry cooperation with the IAEA,” Khudatyan said. He noted that the two sides particularly discussed the progress of the life extension project for Unit 2 of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant, as well as issues related to the selection of the reactor type for a new nuclear power plant.

In addition, during the talks, Khudatyan confirmed to Grossi an invitation to visit Armenia and attend the upcoming COP17-related events to be held in the country. Armenian Deputy Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Narek Apitonyan, Armenian Ambassador to Austria Andranik Hovhannisyan, General Director of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant Company Eduard Martirosyan, and other members of the delegation also participated in the talks.

The Armenian Nuclear Power Plant is located near the town of Metsamor, about 30 kilometers west of Yerevan, and is the only nuclear power plant in the South Caucasus region. The plant is one of Armenia's main sources of electricity, accounting for as much as 40% of the country's power supply. Its operating life had previously been extended to 2026, and work is currently underway to extend its operating life by another 10 years.

Armenia plans to build a new nuclear power plant within 8 to 10 years. A variety of options are currently being evaluated, with in-depth study of the experience of partners from Russia, the United States, France, and South Korea. The Armenian side is currently reviewing a preliminary feasibility study prepared by Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom on the construction of a new 1,200 MW unit.

Previously, Rosatom First Deputy Director General Kirill Komarov, in response to a media question, said that the corporation could offer Armenia nuclear reactor options with capacities ranging from 50 MW to 1,000 MW, and in particular could assemble reactors of any required capacity using 50 MW modular units.