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...

2026-09-16

Armenian NPP Unit 2 Reconnected to Grid After Overhaul

September 3 news, Armenian Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure David Khudatyan stated that Unit 2 of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant has resumed operation and been connected to the country's unified power grid after completing a five-month planned overhaul. Khudatyan said that on September 1, 2026, Unit 2 of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant was restarted after scheduled maintenance and connected to the national unified power grid. Currently, the unit is operating normally, with power output gradually increasing in accordance with established process requirements. The planned overhaul began on April 1 and lasted 153 days as scheduled. During the overhaul, approximately 20 measures were implemented at the plant to enhance unit reliability, safety, and operational efficiency...

2026-09-08

Armenia to Discuss New Nuclear Power Plant Options with Rosatom

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated at a press conference on September 3 that Alexey Likhachev, Director General of Rosatom, will visit Armenia in September, and the two sides will discuss possible options for constructing a new nuclear power plant within Armenia. Pashinyan noted that Armenia expects Likhachev's visit to bring forward Russia's specific proposals regarding the construction of a new nuclear power plant in Armenia. He said that Armenia will prioritize economic viability and project pricing when selecting a nuclear power project, aiming to secure the most cost-effective construction plan. In May of this year, the Russian side had indicated...

2026-09-04

Armenia to Select Technology Solution for New Nuclear Power Plant by End of 2027

The Armenian government has set the end of 2027 as the deadline for selecting the technology solution for a new nuclear power plant. The project will eventually replace the existing Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant and has been incorporated into Armenia's government program for 2026 to 2031. According to the program, Armenia will advance the construction project for the new nuclear power plant and complete the reactor technology selection by at least the end of 2027. At present, the government has not yet disclosed the installed capacity, reactor type, or potential contractor for the new plant. Armenia has been evaluating nuclear power options from multiple countries in recent years, including both traditional large- or medium-sized nuclear units and small modular reactors (SMRs). Armenian officials have previously stated that units of relatively smaller scale, which are easier to connect to the national grid, are one of the key areas of focus for the government.

2026-08-23

Armenia Responds to Claims of Metsamor NPP Closure: Operating License Valid Until 2036

In response to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's claims that the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant is outdated and could pose a potential threat to the region, Arman Yeghoyan, a lawmaker from Armenia's ruling Civil Contract party, stated that the operating lifetime of a nuclear power plant is not unilaterally determined by the governments of neighboring countries. Yeghoyan noted that every nuclear power plant has an established operating period, and the Metsamor NPP is currently authorized to operate for a maximum term extending to 2036, information that has long been public. He also stated that the Armenian side has announced it is studying options for building a new nuclear power plant...

2026-08-14

Azerbaijan Says It Can Supply Electricity to Armenia, Focus on Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant Decommissioning Replacement

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said on August 12 that Azerbaijan could supply electricity to Armenia. He also stated that Armenia cannot indefinitely extend the operating lifetime of the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant. The Armenian government has not yet responded to this proposal, nor has it indicated whether it would consider importing electricity from Azerbaijan. As signs of easing relations between the two countries emerge, the possibility of cross-border transportation and energy infrastructure development is being revisited. Armenia has long relied on Russia and Iran for its energy security. Currently, the country is studying proposals from companies in the United States, Russia, China...

2026-08-13