Armenia already this year needs to make a decision on further implementation of projects at the Armenian NPP

ArmInfo. In 2017, at the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant, in addition to carrying out preventive maintenance work, the program to extend the life of the second power unit will continue. This is in conversation with the correspondent. Vasily Kuzmin, technical director of Rusatom Service, informed ArmInfo.

In his words, it is necessary, in particular, to carry out work to assess the state of the main equipment. At the first stage, a huge amount of work was done, about 4.5 thousand pieces of equipment were inspected.  Now it is necessary to do a follow-up of the remainder, based on the results of these surveys, assessments will be made. A generalized analysis will also be developed to assess the state of the block. This is a mandatory condition, which results in a final decision on the terms of the extension, which can vary from 10 to 15 years. "The decision is made depending on the state of the main equipment," the specialist said." There are equipment that needs to be replaced in order not only to restore the resource, but also to increase the efficiency of the plant by increasing its capacity, "Vasily Kuzmin said, adding that similar work was carried out at Russian nuclear power plants, Prolongation of the service life of similar units.The safety of the NPP, he continued, is a prerequisite for the implementation of the project.In the Russian stations the capacities have already been raised to 110% .In the Armenian NPP with the modernization of the turbine and gas New opportunities will be obtained to increase the unit's capacity, and in turn, an increase in the efficiency will allow the station to increase the generation of electricity and to cover the needs of the RA.  As Vasily Kuzmin emphasized, the implementation of the project will give the Armenian authorities time to think about the construction of a new block. And, he continued, the term of 10 years is at least. "As experience shows, the main power equipment at Soviet nuclear power plants was produced with a large margin of safety, the only problem that will be encountered in the course of the project is the deadline." At Russian nuclear power plants, similar programs are implemented for 8-10 years, and in Armenia terms Have been reduced to 5 years. , - said the technical director of JSC "Rusatom Service".

On May 10, the Armenian NPP was stopped for 60 days in order to carry out preventive maintenance and fuel overload. On July 7, 2017, it was connected to the power grid and resumed production of electricity.It should be reminded that in March of this year, it was 3 years since the decision was taken by the Armenian government on the need to upgrade the second station unit. The subsidiary of Rosatom State Nuclear Energy Corporation - Rusatom Service JSC coordinates the project of Extension of life at the Armenian NPP. The state corporation together with the Armenian experts agreed to work on the implementation of the project to extend the lifetime of the power unit of the NPP for 10 years - until 2026. Completion of work is planned for 2019.

In March 2015, the Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) was established to implement the intergovernmental agreement on extending the life of the ANPP on December 20, 2014. In order to coordinate the project activities, meet deadlines, evaluate the results.