ArmInfo. The Armenian authorities will only know which country's proposal for the construction of small modular reactors and which model will be accepted by them in the second half of 2026. Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure David Khudatyan stated this in an interview with Public Television.
He emphasized that the service life of the nuclear power plant's existing second power unit will be extended as long as necessary until new reactors are built. "That is, the calculations are made so that Armenia will not be left without nuclear energy," the minister said, refuting opposition accusations that the country's authorities are working to close the existing ANPP at the behest of Turkey.
"The ANPP brings stability to our energy system; it is the largest and cheapest source of energy, without which our energy system cannot exist," Khudatyan emphasized.
Regarding alternative energy, the head of the Ministry of Territorial Administration noted that solar energy is currently developing at a cutting-edge pace. In this regard, he recalled that the industry strategy sets a goal of achieving solar energy production of 1,000 megawatts by 2030, but that the current figure is already 1,050 megawatts. He welcomed this development, stating that Armenia is moving toward increasing solar energy production.
In 2026, the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant will be shut down for lengthy scheduled aintenance. The plant will be idle for six months instead of the usual two. 20.1 billion drams will be allocated from the 2026 state budget for the program's implementation. Construction of a new nuclear unit is planned by 2036. Next year's state budget allocates 828 million drams for the start of this project. The country's authorities are leaning toward the need to build a nuclear power plant with a small modular reactor. Partners from Russia, the United States, South Korea, and China are currently being explored for this purpose.
