ArmInfo.The Armenian nuclear power plant (ANPP) has a defined operational lifespan, but that timeline is not determined by any government in the world, as the plant's maximum permitted operation is authorized until 2036, according to Arman Yeghoyan, a member of parliament from the ruling "Civil Contract" faction. Speaking at a briefing on August 12, 2026, Yeghoyan commented on recent statements from Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev regarding the closure of the ANPP.
"Everyone can say what they want. If Aliyev, for example, says that smoking is harmful, does that mean we should start smoking everywhere?" he asked. The MP noted that the lifespan is defined by the relevant documents. Eghoyan recalled that the Armenian authorities had previously stated that they were considering building a new nuclear power plant, and that negotiations were ongoing with several international partners. Furthermore, he noted, the 2017 agreement signed between Armenia and the EU contains a provision requiring the existing nuclear power plant to be replaced with a plant of similar capacity. "That is, it's not the document that defines the timeframe, but the existing timeframe that is reflected in the agreement," Yeghoyan noted.
When asked whether negotiations are underway with the Azerbaijani side regarding energy supplies, the ruling party representative merely noted that the more sources for energy exports and imports, the more opportunities and open roads there are for this, the better for Armenia.
It should be noted that the Armenian government has allocated 63.2 billion drams from the state budget for the second extension program. A new nuclear unit is to be built in the country by 2036. The country's authorities are leaning toward the need to build a plant with a small modular reactor. Proposals from five countries are currently being studied, including Russia, the United States, China, South Korea, and France. However, based on the statement by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who announced that the existing nuclear power plant in Armenia has the capacity to operate until 2046, it can be concluded that the issue of a new nuclear power plant for Armenia is being put on the back burner.
It should be noted that, according to reports circulated by Azerbaijani media, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev stated yesterday that the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant (ANPP) must be shut down sooner or later. He noted that the plant is outdated and poses a potential threat to the entire region. Aliyev also said that the Azerbaijani and Turkish sides have repeatedly expressed concern about this issue at various international forums. "The NPP's operational life cannot be extended indefinitely, and sooner or later the plant must be shut down. In such a case, Armenia could face a serious energy crisis, so having an additional energy source would be beneficial for it," he emphasized.
