ArmInfoArmenian authorities have made a final decision on the construction of a nuclear power plant with several small modular reactors. This was stated by David Khudatyan, Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of the Republic of Armenia, in an interview with CIVICTV.
According to him, a nuclear power plant with small modular reactors will provide flexibility in electricity production at power generation facilities. Even today, due to the significant increase in solar power capacity during the day, it is necessary to maneuver, either reducing or completely removing power from base stations.
The minister noted that the issue of determining the nuclear power plant model and the choice of the manufacturing country is on the government's agenda and will be resolved without haste. It is possible that the final decision will be made in 2027. "Armenia won't be left without nuclear energy, but we must keep in mind that small modular power plants are, in reality, a new direction in the energy sector, and very few countries are currently in the final stages of their construction. We want to wait a little longer to see the efficiency of SMR plants 'on the ground,' so to speak, and make a choice," Khudatyan noted. He pointed to the possibility of building as many small modular nuclear reactors as the country's energy sector requires.
It's worth noting that small modular reactors with a capacity of up to 300 MW are being actively developed worldwide (more than 120 projects), with a focus on passive safety and factory assembly. Russia operates the Akademik Lomonosov floating nuclear power plant, the United States (NuScale) has certified the design and plans to begin construction in Idaho, and Canada (Ontario Power Generation) is planning the first launch in Ontario at the Darlington Nuclear Power Plant. Key players also include South Korea (BANDI-60), Argentina (CAREM), and China, with the goal of providing low-carbon energy, including for remote regions and desalination. By 2026, 15 nuclear reactors of various types are expected to launch worldwide.
