ArmInfo. The program to extend the lifespan of the second power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant will continue in 2026. This was announced by David Khudatyan, Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of the Republic of Armenia, at the budget hearings of the Armenian parliamentary committee on October 28.
According to him, as a result of the program's implementation, the lifespan of the ANPP unit will be extended until 2036. 20.1 billion drams will be allocated from the country's state budget for this purpose. Next year, the minister noted, preparatory work for the design of a new nuclear power unit will begin. 828 million drams will be allocated from the Armenian state budget for this purpose.
Concurrently, work will continue on the construction of a new Armenia-Georgia power transmission line. The tender process for this program is currently being finalized. The planned cost for the project is 48.4 billion drams. In addition, the modernization of three substations-Shahumyan-2, Marash, and Yeghegnadzor-will continue. Their service life is estimated at 40 years, and 3.8 billion drams will be allocated for this purpose.
As a reminder, the program to extend the service life of Unit 2 of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant (ANPP) until 2036 is ongoing. By this date, a new nuclear power plant is scheduled to be built in the country. Currently, Armenia is leaning toward constructing a nuclear power plant with small modular units. However, the problem is that there are no reference units available anywhere in the world. To implement the project, the "Construction of a New Nuclear Power Unit" CJSC has been established. After studying all options, it will make a final decision on the new plant's capacity.
