Armenia to endeavor to build new nuclear power plant before current one’s term ends - Minister
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YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 19, ARMENPRESS. Armenia plans to build a new nuclear power plant before the current one’s term ends in 2036. The new plant is expected to have a capacity of 400-600 MW and will be appropriately sized to avoid dominating the country’s energy system.
Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Gnel Sanosyan said Thusday at the Global Armenian Summit.
The minister highlighted the unique structure of Armenia’s energy sector: approximately 40% of the country’s electricity is generated by the nuclear power plant, around 30% by combined heat and power plants (CHPs), about 20% by hydroelectric plants, and around 10% by solar power stations.
Sanosyan noted that the 10% contribution from solar power is an encouraging result compared to the zero or one percent just a few years ago.
"Our country's energy system does not rely too heavily on any single source. This has led us to the clear conclusion that a new nuclear power plant should be built. Armenia consumes 800-1000 MW of electricity, and if we were to build a 1000-1200 MW nuclear plant, the entire energy system would become dependent on it, which has both positive and negative aspects,” emphasized Sanosyan.
He added that the current nuclear plant’s operation must first be extended until 2036, with significant work already underway to achieve this. Sanosyan also emphasized that the government continues to encourage the expansion of solar power plants and noted that several promising wind power projects are currently in progress.
"I believe this is a balanced policy. Not only do we meet our own energy needs, but we are also an electricity-exporting country, and we aim to increase the volume of these exports. Specifically, large power transmission lines are being constructed with Iran, which will enhance the capacity for exporting electricity to Iran. Additionally, we have a mutually beneficial agreement with Iran, whereby Iranian gas imported into Armenia is converted into electricity and then exported back to Iran," the minister explained.