Wednesday, May 16 2018 16:24
Alexandr Avanesov

Premier: Construction of a new nuclear power plant in Armenia is one of the priorities of the new government of the country

Premier: Construction of a new nuclear power plant in Armenia is one of the priorities of the new government of the country

ArmInfo. The construction of a new nuclear power plant in Armenia is one of the priorities of the new government of the country. On the eve, introducing the new Minister of Energy Infrastructures and Natural Resources of the Republic of Armenia Artur Grigoryan, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated.

According to him, the new NPP will be designed to increase the reliability and security of the energy complex of Armenia.

Commenting on this statement of the Prime Minister, Deputy Director General of Armenian NPP CJSC, Director of the program for extending the life of the second power unit of the Armenian NPP, Hera Sevikyan stressed that the issue with the construction of the new unit is not new. The station has all the necessary infrastructure - a platform, water, personnel, the problem is only the power of the new unit and its type. The construction of a block with a capacity of 1200-1500 MW for Armenia is unacceptable, since in the absence of the necessary volumes of consumption this can lead to the destruction of the entire energy system of the country. The optimal option would be a 540-600 MW unit, but the problem is due to the lack of these units in operation, and Armenia has chosen a policy of using exclusively reference stations. Also, during the discussions there are variants of the block with a capacity of up to 40 MW, but in this case 12 modular nuclear power plants will have to be built to compensate for the capacities of the operating unit, which is also a problematic task. "Yes, and with fuel for these types of reactors can be difficult," - said Gera Sevikyan. In addition, he continued, it is necessary to retrain personnel for work on such units, which is a very expensive activity, as the personnel of the ANPP is accustomed to working and familiar with the WWER reactor.

"In any case, we will keep, as they say, a hand on the pulse," the Deputy General Director of the ANPP stressed, adding that there is still time for making a decision. The current block is capable of working without problems until 2040. "The reactor is not in jail, it is in excellent condition, the main equipment is upgraded, capable to work for another 30 years. Technically and technologically, the station has no problems to extend its resource for a longer period, during which a final decision on the new unit should be taken," - the expert emphasized. He regretfully stated that the Armenian NPP in principle performs a social function, supporting the energy tariff at a relatively low level.

At present, the Armenian NPP is implementing a $ 300 million program financed by the Russian government ($ 270 million is a loan, and $ 30 million is a grant) aimed at extending the lifetime of the second power unit for a period of 10 years. During this period, it was initially planned to build a unit with a capacity of 1,000 megawatts, then 600 megawatts, now we are talking about small modular units with a capacity of 50 megawatt, which are intended to become nuclear decentralization. Nevertheless, in Armenia, based on financial considerations, more and more people are coming to understand the need for full-fledged use of the existing NPP unit, up to the year 2040. Thus, the issue of building a new block can only be addressed by 2030.

Reactors of small and medium power, from 30 to 300 MW, so-called modular reactors, can come to replace not only classical atomic units, but also thermal generation units. Today, according to IAEA estimates, there are 50 projects and concepts of small and medium-sized reactors in the world. They can be both stationary and mobile. Moreover, both terrestrial and marine installations are developed, which can be controlled from the shore remotely. Among the countries developing these technologies, besides the United States, Japan and North Korea, are also Canada, France, China, Russia, India, Argentina and South Africa.  In addition, in Argentina, China and Russia is already building a completely different technology for the installation. The idea to build independent modular reactors was fixed in the world in the early 2000s.  However, then they were considered mainly as reserve sources for developing countries, as well as for remote settlements, production and mining complexes. That is, places where it is difficult to stretch electrical networks. Today these projects are considered as independent generation complexes for any places, including densely populated ones. The concept of their development is based on the policy of decentralization of production and supply of electricity. Unfortunately, giant energy projects have become very vulnerable. Any natural disaster or hacker attack can disable large stations - and millions of people in a moment will be left without electricity. But local stations reduce such dependence and suffer less from natural disasters, since they have tightly closed internal infrastructure. Due to their size and locality, modular reactors are much safer than larger nuclear power plants. The second Chernobyl will not be on them, because other technical solutions are involved in modular reactors.

READ ALL COMMENTS

Эдвард Арзуманян
См. мою статью в фейсбуке от 07.05.2018 Edvard Arzumanyan
Эдвард Арзуманян
Edvard Arzumanyan 7 апреля · Հայաստանում նոր ատոմային բլոկի կառուցման խոստումը չկատարելու մասին՝ մեղավոր է թե անմեղ ՀՀ Նախագահ Սերժ Սարգսյանը Ներկայումս որոշ քաղաքական գործիչներ մեղադրում են ՀՀ Նախագահ Սերժ Սարգսյանին այն բանում, որ նա չի կատարել

POST A COMMENT
Input digits     


News
About 700 Armenian heavy cargo trucks waiting to pass through Upper  LarsAbout 700 Armenian heavy cargo trucks waiting to pass through Upper  Lars
Armenian Economy Ministry, several U.S. government departments form  specific action program Armenian Economy Ministry, several U.S. government departments form  specific action program 
Public TV`s First News Channel to be broadcasted not only in Yerevan,  but also throughout countryPublic TV`s First News Channel to be broadcasted not only in Yerevan,  but also throughout country
Ardshinbank cardholders can now enjoy a 10% cashback!Ardshinbank cardholders can now enjoy a 10% cashback!
ECC, EDB to coordinate funding of joint projects ECC, EDB to coordinate funding of joint projects 
Broadcasting of Russian TV channels to be discussed in Moscow soon Broadcasting of Russian TV channels to be discussed in Moscow soon 
Armenia to host World Wine Tourism Conference,Armenia to host World Wine Tourism Conference,
CBA forecasts 5.5% or 6.4% GDP growth for 2024 depending on inflation  rate  CBA forecasts 5.5% or 6.4% GDP growth for 2024 depending on inflation  rate  
Three Sad Stories about FraudstersThree Sad Stories about Fraudsters
Rafayel Gevorgyan: Armenia`s economic growth potential is 6%Rafayel Gevorgyan: Armenia`s economic growth potential is 6%
TEAM already has over 1 million mobile subscribersTEAM already has over 1 million mobile subscribers
Armenia`s ministry of economy proposes new SAFE format Armenia`s ministry of economy proposes new SAFE format 
CBA Governor: Over 11 thousand Artsakh refugees employed in ArmeniaCBA Governor: Over 11 thousand Artsakh refugees employed in Armenia
Armenian economy is approaching neutral interest rate level- Martin  GalstyanArmenian economy is approaching neutral interest rate level- Martin  Galstyan
CBA: external inflationary impact on Armenian economy continues to  weaken significantlyCBA: external inflationary impact on Armenian economy continues to  weaken significantly
Martin Galstyan: It`s too early to talk about threat of overheating  in consumer lending marketMartin Galstyan: It`s too early to talk about threat of overheating  in consumer lending market
Non-cash transactions surpass cash ones in Armenian plastic card  marketNon-cash transactions surpass cash ones in Armenian plastic card  market
CBA reduces refinancing rate by 0.25 pp. setting it at 8.5%CBA reduces refinancing rate by 0.25 pp. setting it at 8.5%
After construction of alternative route, Lars to become passable all  year round - Deputy MinisterAfter construction of alternative route, Lars to become passable all  year round - Deputy Minister
3,780,052 Drams to the City of Smile Fund: The Power of One Dram Will Go to My forest Armenia in March3,780,052 Drams to the City of Smile Fund: The Power of One Dram Will Go to My forest Armenia in March
Global Finance Recognizes Ameriabank`s Leadership in Sustainable Finance in ArmeniaGlobal Finance Recognizes Ameriabank`s Leadership in Sustainable Finance in Armenia
Project to create unified gas market in EAEU postponed until 2027Project to create unified gas market in EAEU postponed until 2027
Amounts exceeding maximum social payments from several sources to be  returned to individualsAmounts exceeding maximum social payments from several sources to be  returned to individuals
Finance Minister considers leaving EAEU riskyFinance Minister considers leaving EAEU risky
Gevorg Papoyan: There cannot be systemic corruption in Ministry of  EconomyGevorg Papoyan: There cannot be systemic corruption in Ministry of  Economy
Minister of Economy: I see no objective reasons for closure of Upper  Lars to Armenian goodsMinister of Economy: I see no objective reasons for closure of Upper  Lars to Armenian goods
Araratbank plans to implement ESG risk management strategy with  environmental, social and corporate management Araratbank plans to implement ESG risk management strategy with  environmental, social and corporate management 
Well-being and future are impossible without compliance with ESG -  Araratbank rep Well-being and future are impossible without compliance with ESG -  Araratbank rep 
Armenia should completely switch to renewable energy - Jon Dee Armenia should completely switch to renewable energy - Jon Dee 
Connection with Europe via Georgia Armenia`s energy priority -  officialConnection with Europe via Georgia Armenia`s energy priority -  official
Half Price for Everyone and up to AMD 15.000 Welcome Bonus for New Customers. IDBankHalf Price for Everyone and up to AMD 15.000 Welcome Bonus for New Customers. IDBank
Armenia`s economic activity increased by 10.7% per annum in Jan 2024Armenia`s economic activity increased by 10.7% per annum in Jan 2024
Deputy PM: there is need to review current water resources management  policyDeputy PM: there is need to review current water resources management  policy
Armenia`s premier meets with Egyptian businessmen Armenia`s premier meets with Egyptian businessmen 
Hovak Hovakimyan: We should not limit ourselves to domestic market in  development of Armenia`s capital marketHovak Hovakimyan: We should not limit ourselves to domestic market in  development of Armenia`s capital market
Garegin Gevorgyan: Armenia can become trading hub for foreign  securitiesGaregin Gevorgyan: Armenia can become trading hub for foreign  securities
Doing Digital Forum Returns Featuring Brett King as Keynote SpeakerDoing Digital Forum Returns Featuring Brett King as Keynote Speaker
Decline in Armenia`s consumer prices was caused by food products;  while prices for services and gasoline were on riseDecline in Armenia`s consumer prices was caused by food products;  while prices for services and gasoline were on rise
FLYONE ARMENIA offers number of new destinations this summerFLYONE ARMENIA offers number of new destinations this summer
Gevorg Papoyan appointed Armenia`s minister of economyGevorg Papoyan appointed Armenia`s minister of economy
Samvel Khanvelyan: Armenia`s domestic debt market is Samvel Khanvelyan: Armenia`s domestic debt market is "limping" in  terms of investment base and structure 
Armenian capital market is at its initial stage of development -  Deputy MinisterArmenian capital market is at its initial stage of development -  Deputy Minister
Armenia should be among world leaders in a number of technological  areas - expertArmenia should be among world leaders in a number of technological  areas - expert
Google Pay is now accessible for Armswissbank Mastercard cardholdersGoogle Pay is now accessible for Armswissbank Mastercard cardholders
Number of vPOSs in Armenia already exceeds 4.5 thousandNumber of vPOSs in Armenia already exceeds 4.5 thousand
2-3 nuclear power units with capacity of 200 MW each would make it  possible to more effectively manage country`s energy system - PSRC  Chair2-3 nuclear power units with capacity of 200 MW each would make it  possible to more effectively manage country`s energy system - PSRC  Chair
ADB to provide  $3 million grant to Armenia to increase agricultural  flexibility and improve food security in rural areasADB to provide  $3 million grant to Armenia to increase agricultural  flexibility and improve food security in rural areas
By accepting 20% stake in MTS Armenia as gift, government sends  message to other companies:  PashinyanBy accepting 20% stake in MTS Armenia as gift, government sends  message to other companies:  Pashinyan
Micro-processing cards with NFC chip account for almost 70% of total  number of cards in Armenia, already reaching 2.6 millionMicro-processing cards with NFC chip account for almost 70% of total  number of cards in Armenia, already reaching 2.6 million
A Millionaire Wanted: New Draw from IdramA Millionaire Wanted: New Draw from Idram
PSRC: construction of Mets Masrik  industrial-scale solar power plant  in Armenia is nearing completionPSRC: construction of Mets Masrik  industrial-scale solar power plant  in Armenia is nearing completion
Wizz Air launches Budapest-Yerevan-Budapest direct flights Wizz Air launches Budapest-Yerevan-Budapest direct flights 
Temporary ban on gasoline exports from Russia will not affect ArmeniaTemporary ban on gasoline exports from Russia will not affect Armenia
14 Armenian tech companies participate in Mobile World Congress in  Barcelona14 Armenian tech companies participate in Mobile World Congress in Barcelona
Tax authorities propose not to tax labor migrants with annual income  of up to AMD 12 million Tax authorities propose not to tax labor migrants with annual income  of up to AMD 12 million 
Gnel Sanosyan: potential of industrial companies and specialists of  Armenia is growingGnel Sanosyan: potential of industrial companies and specialists of  Armenia is growing
ADB signed sale and purchase agreement with Bank of Georgia in  respect of its shares in AmeriabankADB signed sale and purchase agreement with Bank of Georgia in  respect of its shares in Ameriabank
Founder of ABBYY Group, David Yang, to Speak at Armenia`s First  Investment and Financial ForumFounder of ABBYY Group, David Yang, to Speak at Armenia`s First  Investment and Financial Forum
Armenia`s economic activity increased by 10.7% per annum in Jan 2024Armenia`s economic activity increased by 10.7% per annum in Jan 2024
Gevorg Mantashyan: High-Tech Ministry makes consistent efforts for  emergence and progress of startups in ArmeniaGevorg Mantashyan: High-Tech Ministry makes consistent efforts for  emergence and progress of startups in Armenia
Read more


Exchange rates
18.03.2024
RUB4.37-0.01
USD401.96-0.67
EUR438.10-0.36
GBP511.98-1.33
CAD296.82-0.70
JPY26.96-0.10
CNY55.84-0.11
CHF455.17-0.60