The European Union (EU) is allocating significant funds to support nuclear safety in Armenia, according to Vassilis Maragos, the head of the EU delegation to Armenia. He made this announcement during the 10th technical meeting for coordinating international support for the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant (ANPP) and Armenia's Nuclear Regulatory Authority in Metsamor.
Maragos stated that the EU is financing four programs at the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant with a total value of €11 million, as well as one program at the State Nuclear Safety Regulatory Committee worth €1.5 million. These projects are being implemented under the European Instrument for International Cooperation in the Field of Nuclear Safety (INSC).
The diplomat highlighted that, since the 1990s, the EU’s total financial support for Armenia’s nuclear safety sector has exceeded €70 million in grants. The cooperation has included technology exchanges, professional retraining, improved radioactive waste management, and enhanced nuclear safety guarantees.
The Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement signed between Armenia and the European Union in 2017 covers a wide range of energy cooperation issues, including nuclear safety aspects.
One of the key points in the document is the development of a strategy for the gradual transition from the use of the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant to alternative energy solutions. This initiative aims to strengthen Armenia's energy independence and contribute to its long-term sustainable development.
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.
