Armenia has extended the term of operation for its Soviet-built nuclear power plant (NPP) for another ten years.
Originally, the facility in Metsamor, some 30 kilometers west of capital Yerevan, was due to be decommissioned in 2016.
The decision to allow the NPP to operate until 2026 was approved by the Armenian government at its Thursday session. Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Armen Movsisian explained the measure by the delay in the construction of a new nuclear reactor.
At the same time, the minister stressed that Armenia continues to work actively towards building a new nuclear station. Movsisian cited the recent global economic crisis and “geopolitical processes” as the main reasons for Armenia’s failure to secure the necessary investment.
The Armenian government has for years been looking for investors in the ambitious project estimated at several billion dollars.
Speaking at the government session Minister Movsisian said that it is now planned to build the new nuclear reactor within the next 15 years. He suggested that the construction project may be carried out by Russia’s Rosatom state nuclear energy corporation.
Originally, the facility in Metsamor, some 30 kilometers west of capital Yerevan, was due to be decommissioned in 2016.
The decision to allow the NPP to operate until 2026 was approved by the Armenian government at its Thursday session. Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Armen Movsisian explained the measure by the delay in the construction of a new nuclear reactor.
At the same time, the minister stressed that Armenia continues to work actively towards building a new nuclear station. Movsisian cited the recent global economic crisis and “geopolitical processes” as the main reasons for Armenia’s failure to secure the necessary investment.
The Armenian government has for years been looking for investors in the ambitious project estimated at several billion dollars.
Speaking at the government session Minister Movsisian said that it is now planned to build the new nuclear reactor within the next 15 years. He suggested that the construction project may be carried out by Russia’s Rosatom state nuclear energy corporation.