The Armenian government has decided to start the process of extending the life of the Armenian NPP until 2036, RIA Novosti correspondent reported. “To begin the process of extending the service life of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant Unit No. 2 to justify the safe operation of the unit after September 2026 and ensure its continued operation,” reads the decree of the Government of Armenia. According to the justification, large-scale modernization, and re-equipment of the facility, funded by Russia ($189 million) and Armenia ($162.8 million), allowed the operation of the NPP to be extended until 2026. It is noted that additional investments will create conditions for the use of the second NPP unit for another ten years – until 2036. Armenia currently has one nuclear power plant located near the city of Metsamor, 30 kilometers south of Yerevan. There are two power units based on earthquake-resistant reactors of the VVER-440 type. The first power unit of the Armenian NPP was put into operation in December 1976, the second in January 1980. The NPP was shut down in March 1989 after the Spitak earthquake. The second power unit was put into operation again in November 1995 in connection with the energy crisis in the republic. With the help of ‘Rosatom,’ the modernization of the second unit was completed in 2021.

Source: Turan News Agency