Armenia to decide on modular nuclear plant by 2027

Upon the successful completion of the ongoing life-extension program of the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant, Armenia will be able to continue operating the facility until at least 2036, while simultaneously advancing plans for a new modular nuclear facility, Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure David Khudatyan has said.

He told lawmakers at a joint committee hearing on the government report that the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant is currently disconnected from the country’s energy system and is undergoing a life-extension program.

“During these days, the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant is disconnected from our energy system and is undergoing a life-extension program. We carry out this process every year; however, once every five years it takes longer, and the disconnection from the energy system lasts about three months,” Khudatyan said when asked by MP Sergey Bagratyan how long the Armenian nuclear power plant could be safely operated before the construction of a new one.

The minister noted that the work has already started and more than half of it has been completed.

“If the program is successfully completed—and we are doing everything to ensure its success—the plant’s operating life will be extended by another 10 years. That means it will remain connected to our energy system at least until 2036,” he said.

Khudatyan added that, alongside extending the life of the existing plant, the government is continuing work on building a new nuclear power plant.

“We have made the choice of model and type. The government has announced that we are moving toward the construction of a modular nuclear power plant,” he said.

Armenia has received proposals from various countries and is currently studying them from technical, safety, and financial perspectives, he said.

“We have proposals from different countries, and we are studying them in terms of technical, safety, and financial aspects. This technology is relatively new in the global energy sector, and we are not rushing,” Khudatyan said.

He noted that the financial component is especially important, as the cost of building a new nuclear plant could significantly affect electricity tariffs.

“The financial costs of proposals from different countries vary. We know that the construction of new nuclear power plants will have a significant impact on tariffs, and therefore one of our main conditions is to obtain the most affordable price possible,” the minister said.

Khudatyan added that, for this reason, the government is not in a hurry to make a final decision, and the decision is likely to be postponed to 2027.

“We are not rushing to make a decision. I think the decision will be postponed to 2027, because the life-extension program gives us flexibility,” he said.

He also noted that by then, several countries are expected to already have modular nuclear power plants connected to their energy systems, which will allow for a better assessment of the technology.

“By the end of 2026 and during 2027, several countries will already have such nuclear plants connected to their energy systems,” Khudatyan said.

Armenia has received proposals to build a modular nuclear power plant from five countries: the United States, France, Russia, China, and South Korea.