US to Participate in New Nuclear Power Plant Safety Assessment Work

The Armenian government has approved a draft agreement on the exchange of technical information and cooperation on nuclear safety between the Republic of Armenia's Nuclear Safety Regulatory Committee and the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission during today's session.

The agreement was signed on March 14, 2023, in Washington. Notably, Armenia has previously signed cooperation agreements in this field with the American side (in 1995, 1997, 2007, and 2017) regarding training of nuclear power plant personnel, upgrading safety systems, physical protection of nuclear materials, seismic safety of nuclear power plants, safety assessment and licensing of spent fuel storage facilities, and development of documents related to security of radiation sources.

However, the new agreement also provides for support from the US in conducting safety analysis and assessments during the licensing phases of extending the operational life of nuclear power plants and constructing new nuclear power plants in Armenia, as well as ensuring the safety of radioactive materials and waste, and implementing environmental monitoring and developing regulatory documents.

The government deems the approval of the agreement appropriate for the further development of the atomic energy sector in Armenia. The next step is ratification by the parliament and signing by the President of Armenia.

It is worth noting that during the hearings organized in the House Foreign Affairs Committee of the US Congress, Maria Long, the coordinator of US government support programs for Europe and Eurasia, announced that the US is considering the possibility of constructing small modular nuclear reactors in Armenia and other Eurasian countries. According to the American side, the construction of modular nuclear reactors could lead to greater energy independence from both Russia and China.