Gnel Sanosyan, Armenia's Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, has unveiled plans for the development of the country’s energy sector.
At the center of these plans is the construction of a new nuclear power plant with a capacity of 400-600 MW, which is expected to be operational before the current Armenian Nuclear Power Plant reaches the end of its service life in 2036.
Speaking at the Second World Armenian Summit in Yerevan on September 19, Sanosyan emphasized that the new nuclear power plant will be designed to seamlessly integrate into the country’s energy system without becoming its dominant component.
The minister also outlined the current structure of Armenia's energy sector. According to him, 40% of the electricity is generated by the nuclear power plant, 30% by thermal power plants, 20% by hydroelectric plants, and 10% by solar power plants.
Sanosyan particularly highlighted the rapid growth of solar energy, noting that just a few years ago, it accounted for about 1%.
He stated that the Armenian government continues to actively promote the development of solar energy and is also exploring potential projects in the field of wind energy.
Earlier, BMG reported that Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced a strategic decision to build a small modular nuclear power plant in the country. This decision is driven by the enhanced safety of such plants: according to experts, any potential accidents would be localized and would not pose a threat beyond a 500-meter radius.
The Armenian NPP supplies about one-third of the country's total energy needs. Its operational life was extended until 2036 after modernization, but it will need to be decommissioned and replaced afterward.
Currently, the operation of the Metsamor NPP relies on the Russian "Rosatom" for both fuel supplies and technological upgrades. However, in early August, the Armenian government established a state-owned company to build a new nuclear power unit to replace the existing plant.
It is expected that within the next two years, this company will present a plan for constructing the new NPP, including the selection of a technology supplier and the plant's capacity. Armenian officials have previously stated their intention to explore cooperation options with China, Russia, South Korea, and the United States.
