Wednesday, October 12 2016 17:09

ArmInfo. Rosatom SC provides invaluable help to Armenia, Deputy Minister of Energy Infrastructures and Natural Resources of Armenia Areg Galstyan told journalists answering to ArmInfo's question on the sidelines of the 17th session of the CIS Commission for Use of Nuclear Energy for Peaceful Purposes that has kicked off in Yerevan.

According to him the Russian state corporation provides assistance to the country not only in implementation of NPP Unit 2 life extension project but also in preparing and retraining of specialists. 4 students from Armenia have been chosen to study in Moscow Engineering Physics Institute since 2016.  The Institute has a huge base for preparing specialists in nuclear energy and it is very important to use the benefits the institute offers. Armenia does not have such a base, there are no research reactors. Meanwhile, there is an online school in Obninsk, in which forums for young specialists of Rosatom SC are organized. Armenian specialists are also involved in these forums. The Deputy Minister noted that in overall Armenia intends to take active participation in the staff-retraining program for the nuclear energy of the country.

Besides, Areg Galstyan added that the two countries are exchanging information in line with IAEA safety requirements.

The Armenian government made a decision to extend life cycle of the second unit of Armenian NPP as the construction of the new nuclear unit had been postponed. Rosatom jointly with Armenian experts agreed to work on the project implementation to extend operation of the NPP for 10 years till-2026. The activities will last for 5 years according to the plan and will finish in 2019. Russia will provide state export loan to Armenia amounted to $270 mln and grant amounted to $30 mln.