ArmInfo. During its Feb 11 sitting, the Armenian Government decided to put off the discussions on the project of construction of the new power plant of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant (ANPP). Armenian Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Yervand Zakharyan pointed out the need for additional discussion of the project details.
Earlier, the Armenian Energy and Natural Resources Ministry's official reply signed by Minister Yervand Zakharyan and sent to the ArmInfo News Agency said that according to the Energy Safety Concept and Action Plan, the construction of the new nuclear power unit in
Armenia is to be launched in 2018. "We have elaborated an "action plan" of construction of the new nuclear power unit, which has been submitted for the consideration of the Armenian Government," the reply said. The source said that nuclear power engineering plays a crucial role in ensuring a proper level of energy independence of Armenia. The Republic of Armenia and the Russian Federation signed an agreement on cooperation in construction of the new nuclear power unit in Armenia. "Under the specified agreement, Russia participates in the project as an investor and the share of its investments is equal to the value of the supplied equipment for the nuclear island. On December 10, 2015, the Armenian Government approved a document on long-term (till 2036) prospects for development of Armenian power engineering. Under the document, a new nuclear power unit with a capacity of up to 600 MW will be commissioned in 2027 to ensure the reliability and stability of the country's energy system. The Armenian Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources has worked out the program of construction of the new power unit. The approval of the program will be followed by negotiations with the potential investors," the document said. To note, earlier the country actively discussed possible construction of a 1160 MW power unit worth 5 bln USD.