Armenian Ministry of Energy: 2/3 of lifetime extension works on Armenian NPP 2nd unit  are close to completion.

ArmInfo. As of today, from USD 205 mln, allocated by Russian Federation for the implementation of Armenian NPP lifetime extension project, USD 136 mln is already utilized. This was stated on May  29 at the session on loans and grants management board conducted by Minister of energy infrastructures and natural resources of RA Ashot Manoukyan.

According to the statement of the Ministry press office, the results of the works implemented at NPP in QI of 2017  were represented  to attendants of  the session. The importance of the implementation of all arrangements in the terms set and within high quality. Based on the results of the session the Minister issue appropriate instructions. The Press office of Armenian Ministry of Energy states that  2/3 of lifetime extension works on Armenian NPP 2nd unit  are close to completion.

Earlier, during his interview with ArmInfo correspondent, AEP N2   energy bloc term prolongation works head said, that a  considerable   amount of work will be carried out during the preventive maintenance.   The main focus will be put on the safety of the nuclear power plant:   works related to the repair of equipment will be performed, as well  as work on instrumental inspection of equipment.  The repair of the   equipment will be assisted by employees of the Kolskaya and   Novovoronezh nuclear power plants - they are the ?twinning? stations   of the Armenian NPP, scientific management will be carried out by JSC  

TsNIITMASH, an industrial enterprise of the Rosatom. As for the instrumental survey, the main task of this exercise is to calculate   and confirm the residual life of the equipment using non-destructive   testing methods. In simple words, it is necessary to check the possibility of further operation of NPP equipment. As you know, there   is a lot of equipment on the NPPA, so the instrumental survey is   distributed for several years, without compromising the safety and   operation of the NPPA. Last year, we started this process; this year   the volume of the surveyed equipment increased by 50% compared to   last year (150 types of equipment) at the request of the supervisory  authority. We hope to finish the instrumental survey process next   year and in 2019.  Transfer calculations and conclusions to the   supervisory authority - the State Committee for Nuclear Safety   Regulation. We hope to finish on time, but everything will depend on  the results of the survey and the decision of the Gosatomnadzor.  On   30 Sept 2015, Tashir Group headed by Russian businessman of Armenian   origin Samvel Karapetyan and Inter RAO signed an agreement of purchase and sale of electric power assets of the Russian energy   holding in Armenia - ENA CJSC and Hrazdan TPP. The reason of the sale  was the public discontent about the ungrounded growth in electricity   prices by approximately 16.7% (6.93 AMD per 1 kWh). The Public   Services Regulatory Commission's (PSRC) decision to raise the tariff   sparked protests and the Armenian authorities agreed to audit both   the expediency of PSRC's decision to raise the tariff and the   activities of the Electric Networks. In addition, the authorities and   Tashir Group took a decision to subsidize on a parity basis the   raised tariff for the households and SMEs until the audit is   completed. Since August 1, 2015, the daytime tariff for households  (from 7 am till 11 pm) has been 48.78 AMD per 1kWh, while the   nighttime tariff has been 38.78 AMD per 1 kWh.