Tuesday, January 30 2018 17:18
Alexandr Avanesov

European Union continues to insist on early closure of Armenian nuclear power plant

European Union continues to insist on early closure of Armenian  nuclear power plant

ArmInfo.The European Union  continues to insist on the early closure of the Armenian nuclear  power plant, since it is impossible even to bring the level of its  security to international standards even by means of modernization.  This January 30 on the margins of the fifth meeting of the Armenia-EU  Subcommittee on Energy, Transport, Ecology, Climate Change and Civil  Defense opened in Yerevan, answering the question of ArmInfo, the  deputy head of the European Union's bilateral relations with the  Eastern Partnership countries Dirk Lorenz told reporters.

At the same time, he said, Brussels understands the importance of the  Armenian NPP in ensuring Armenia's energy security, and this fact is  taken into account by the European Union. Currently, the EU and its  Armenian partners are working to improve the safety of the station.  After the tragic consequences of the accident at the Fukushima  nuclear power plant, the EU initiated stress tests at the EU nuclear  power plants, Armenia carried out a similar stress test. "Now it is  important to implement the results of this stress test, it is also  important to actively develop energy efficiency, alternative and  renewable energy." If you save and use little energy, you will need  less energy in the future," said Dirk Lorenz.

Hayk Harutyunyan, Deputy Minister of Energy Infrastructures and  Natural Resources of the Republic of Armenia, said that the agreement  on "Comprehensive and Expanded Partnership" signed on November 24,  2017 in Brussels clearly stipulated the condition that Armenia should  develop a "road map" for the withdrawal operating unit of the  Armenian NPP from operation. "No one has the illusion that the  current bloc will always work. Most of the $ 270 million of the  Russian loan and a $ 30 million grant is aimed at improving the  safety of the Armenian nuclear power plant to international  standards. As a result of the program, the lifetime of the second  power unit of the station will be extended for 10 years, after which  its decommissioning is planned.

Answering the question of ArmInfo about the possibility of an  alternative to renewable energy sources to nuclear energy by 2026,  Hayk Harutyunyan did not rule out such a development of events.  "Currently, the situation in the market of alternative energy is  developing at a rapid pace, the accumulation technologies are  developing rapidly, and everything is possible in this context," the  deputy minister stressed, adding that at this stage it is not  necessary to talk about replacing nuclear energy with an alternative.  He recalled that Armenia in the energy sector is focusing its efforts  on the implementation of three main tasks: liberalization of the  electricity market, development of alternative and renewable energy  and extension of the life of the power unit of the Armenian Nuclear  Power Plant N2.

Hayk Harutyunyan stressed that with the assistance of the EU,  numerous programs in the sphere of alternative and renewable energy  are being implemented in Armenia. In particular, an EU grant of 20  million euros is implementing a project to improve urban lighting in  Yerevan, which will save considerable amounts of electricity and  financial resources. The program on solid waste management in the  Armenian capital, as well as in the Kotayk and Gegharkunik regions,  is also being implemented. In Yerevan, the grant funds of the EU are  modernizing kindergartens, taking into account elements of energy  efficiency. The EU also provides serious assistance to the country's  communities. The private sector from the EU countries is also  actively involved in the implementation of projects in Armenia. So,  out of 10 companies participating in the tender for the construction  of the Maslik-1 solar power plant with a capacity of 55 MW, 5  companies from the countries of the European Union also appear among  the applicants.

Earlier, German Ambassador to Armenia Matthias Kiesler stated that  the German government through the German-Armenian Fund (GAF) provided  Armenia with 150 million euros for the implementation of the  "Renewable Energy Assistance" program, of which 50 million euros were  spent on the restoration of the Vorotan cascade of hydroelectric  power stations. 64 million euros are directed for retraining of  specialists and holding seminars, the rest - for the development of  energy efficiency. In the third phase of this program, 97 projects  have been funded, of which 86 are aimed at installing solar heaters,  and 11 - for the construction of photovoltaic stations.

According to the energy security strategy of the Republic of Armenia,  by 2020, 20% of all electricity generated in Armenia will be  accounted for by alternative and renewable sources of generation, and  by 2026 this figure is planned to be increased to 50%.

POST A COMMENT
Input digits     


News
Yerevan to host Black Sea Trade and Development Bank`s Annual Meeting  Yerevan to host Black Sea Trade and Development Bank`s Annual Meeting  
Solid Municipal Waste Management project launched in HrazdanSolid Municipal Waste Management project launched in Hrazdan
Armenian IT sector`s output developed as compared with other regional states - expert Armenian IT sector`s output developed as compared with other regional states - expert 
Lawyer on `legal terror` surrounding ENA Lawyer on `legal terror` surrounding ENA 
AraratBank participated in the WEPs regional experience-sharing workshopAraratBank participated in the WEPs regional experience-sharing workshop
1,507 trucks with apricots leave for Russia since beginning of summer 1,507 trucks with apricots leave for Russia since beginning of summer 
TechWeek transforms Vanadzor into an innovation hubTechWeek transforms Vanadzor into an innovation hub
In Q1 2025, unemployment rate in Armenia decreased to 13.9%In Q1 2025, unemployment rate in Armenia decreased to 13.9%
Moody`s upgrades Converse Bank`s ratingsMoody`s upgrades Converse Bank`s ratings
Armenia`s industrial sector is experiencing a significant  declineArmenia`s industrial sector is experiencing a significant  decline
Power generation in Armenia increased by 3.6% in a yearPower generation in Armenia increased by 3.6% in a year
Armenia`s State Revenue Committee proposes postponing payment of  road, environmental taxes, entry duties Armenia`s State Revenue Committee proposes postponing payment of  road, environmental taxes, entry duties 
46 trucks with Armenian brandy enter Russia 46 trucks with Armenian brandy enter Russia 
Expert: Armenia has every chance to become a key regional  hub for  innovative solutionsExpert: Armenia has every chance to become a key regional  hub for  innovative solutions
IDBank issues the 3rd, 4th and 5th tranches of bonds of 2025IDBank issues the 3rd, 4th and 5th tranches of bonds of 2025
ARMSWISSBANK Launches Mastercard World – A New Premium CardARMSWISSBANK Launches Mastercard World – A New Premium Card
Ministry of Economy: Compared to 2018, job numbers in Armenia  increased by 33.9%Ministry of Economy: Compared to 2018, job numbers in Armenia  increased by 33.9%
Illegal mining in Armenia`s Syunik causes AMD 63mln damage to public Illegal mining in Armenia`s Syunik causes AMD 63mln damage to public 
Rospotrebnadzor requested additional information from competent  authorities in Armenia regarding the reason for the ban of Eskimo ice  cream Rospotrebnadzor requested additional information from competent  authorities in Armenia regarding the reason for the ban of Eskimo ice  cream 
Pashinyan discusses steps for establishing a major AI data center in  ArmeniaPashinyan discusses steps for establishing a major AI data center in  Armenia
In June,  Armenia`s annual inflation rate increased to 3.9%  driven  by higher prices for food  and servicesIn June,  Armenia`s annual inflation rate increased to 3.9%  driven  by higher prices for food  and services
Armenian products to enter Cyprus and US markets: CIBRS announces National Warehouse program strategyArmenian products to enter Cyprus and US markets: CIBRS announces National Warehouse program strategy
European Investment Bank remains Armenia`s key partner in  infrastructure projects - MinisterEuropean Investment Bank remains Armenia`s key partner in  infrastructure projects - Minister
Armenian Parliament gives  Armenian Parliament gives  "green light" to nationalization of ENA
Armenia`s dividends from ZCMC $113mln since 2022Armenia`s dividends from ZCMC $113mln since 2022
Ardshinbank summed up the raffle organized for Mastercard Business cardholdersArdshinbank summed up the raffle organized for Mastercard Business cardholders
Armenia extends ban on export of scrap metal until Feb. 1 2026 Armenia extends ban on export of scrap metal until Feb. 1 2026 
62 trucks with Armenian brandy cross Russian border 62 trucks with Armenian brandy cross Russian border 
Armenia to fix tariff quota on individual types of goods imported  from Iran Armenia to fix tariff quota on individual types of goods imported  from Iran 
Narek Karapetyan: Almost all infrastructure companies, except for  ENA, have increased their tariffs for servicesNarek Karapetyan: Almost all infrastructure companies, except for  ENA, have increased their tariffs for services
EIB: Education is one of key areas of partnership between EU-Armenia EIB: Education is one of key areas of partnership between EU-Armenia 
Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister participates in  4th International  Conference on Financing for Development in SevilleArmenian Deputy Foreign Minister participates in  4th International  Conference on Financing for Development in Seville
Armenian Prime Minister, President of  Trafigura Group discuss  potential  cooperation  in mining sector  Armenian Prime Minister, President of  Trafigura Group discuss  potential  cooperation  in mining sector  
ADB to provide Armenia with EUR236 million for construction of  Sisian-Kajaran roadADB to provide Armenia with EUR236 million for construction of  Sisian-Kajaran road
Vassilis Maragos: EU willing to strengthen technological cooperation with Armenia through concrete stepsVassilis Maragos: EU willing to strengthen technological cooperation with Armenia through concrete steps
Ardshinbank at the Forefront of Digital Security: Sponsor and Participant of BugBounty 2025 EventArdshinbank at the Forefront of Digital Security: Sponsor and Participant of BugBounty 2025 Event
Armenia`s regulator  approved the sale of 100% of GNC-ALFA s shares  to Viva Armenia CJSCArmenia`s regulator  approved the sale of 100% of GNC-ALFA s shares  to Viva Armenia CJSC
 International Chamber of Commerce ready to assist Armenia in hosting COP-17 International Chamber of Commerce ready to assist Armenia in hosting COP-17
Armenia to extend ban on ferrous metal exportsArmenia to extend ban on ferrous metal exports
IDBank Opens a New Branch at Homplex MallIDBank Opens a New Branch at Homplex Mall
MONEYVAL experts to visit Armenia in September to assess work on money laundering control MONEYVAL experts to visit Armenia in September to assess work on money laundering control 
Goods traceability to be improved in Armenia Goods traceability to be improved in Armenia 
Vaharshapan and Khoi communities to be merged Vaharshapan and Khoi communities to be merged 
Armenian NA OKs ENA nationalization Armenian NA OKs ENA nationalization 
Viva celebrates 20th anniversary: Armenia`s high-tech industry  minister on reforms in Armenia`s telecommunication industry Viva celebrates 20th anniversary: Armenia`s high-tech industry  minister on reforms in Armenia`s telecommunication industry 
Economic diversification meets Armenia`s interests - Kaja Kallas Economic diversification meets Armenia`s interests - Kaja Kallas 
5.1% increase in number of jobs in Armenia 5.1% increase in number of jobs in Armenia 
AraratBank: Special Rate for SWIFT Transfers up to EUR 20,000AraratBank: Special Rate for SWIFT Transfers up to EUR 20,000
Team Telecom Armenia, Team Systems under one roof: new Team Place  smart solutions center  openedTeam Telecom Armenia, Team Systems under one roof: new Team Place  smart solutions center  opened
Armenian Parliament discussing  nationalization of Electric Networks  of Armenia CJSCArmenian Parliament discussing  nationalization of Electric Networks  of Armenia CJSC
Armenia values development of  cooperation with Denmark in  high  technology and renewable energyArmenia values development of  cooperation with Denmark in  high  technology and renewable energy
ArmSwissBank: First in Armenia to Publish a Climate Transition PlanArmSwissBank: First in Armenia to Publish a Climate Transition Plan
Ucom Launches 5G Network in Abovyan and EjmiatsinUcom Launches 5G Network in Abovyan and Ejmiatsin
Armenia`s government to be entitled to approve new vehicle purchase support programmesArmenia`s government to be entitled to approve new vehicle purchase support programmes
WB appoints Fabrizio Zarcone as its new Country Manager for ArmeniaWB appoints Fabrizio Zarcone as its new Country Manager for Armenia
Armenia`s government violating Constitution and laws by trying to expropriate ENA - lawyer Armenia`s government violating Constitution and laws by trying to expropriate ENA - lawyer 
Armenian president holds bilateral meetings in Spain Armenian president holds bilateral meetings in Spain 
RA Tourism Committee, South Caucasus Railway combine efforts to develop tourism RA Tourism Committee, South Caucasus Railway combine efforts to develop tourism 
Populism being institutionalized in Armenia - ex-official Populism being institutionalized in Armenia - ex-official 
Samvel Karapetyan`s family starts investment dispute with Armenia Samvel Karapetyan`s family starts investment dispute with Armenia 
Read more
Exchange rates
08.07.2025
RUB4.900.02
USD384.190.08
EUR450.580.13
GBP521.65-0.74
CAD281.350.22
JPY26.24-0.17
CNY53.540.00
CHF481.62-0.14