Until When Will Armenia Try to Build a New Nuclear Power Plant? – Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure

Armenia aims to construct a new nuclear power plant by the end of the operational lifespan of the current one, set for 2036. The proposed new facility will have an estimated capacity of 400-600 MW. It is necessary to build it at a scale that will not overwhelm the entire energy system, stated Gnel Sanosyan, the Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, during the Global Armenian Summit while addressing the recent discussions surrounding the construction of a new nuclear power plant in Armenia.

According to the minister, the energy sector in Armenia has quite an interesting structure, with the nuclear power plant producing about 40 percent of the country’s electricity, around 30 percent from gas-fired power plants, approximately 20 percent from hydropower plants, and about 10 percent from solar plants. “Fortunately for us, if we look back a few years, the share of solar plants was very close to zero or just 1 percent, and this 10 percent we currently have is increasing at a rapid pace, so rapidly that we are ahead of one of the targets indicated in our strategy,” said Sanosyan. He added that, nevertheless, there is often talk of dependence on energy sources; however, it is impossible to be entirely independent from any resource.

“Overall, the strength of our country’s energy system lies in the fact that it does not have a significant dependency in any particular direction. This positive aspect has led us to the conclusion that it is clear a new nuclear power plant must be built, but again, it must be of a size that does not consume the entire energy system because the country consumes between 800-1000 MW of electricity. If we were to construct a 1000-1200 MW nuclear plant, the entire energy system of the country would become dependent on the nuclear facility, with both its positive and negative aspects,” emphasized Gnel Sanosyan.

The minister noted that the lifespan of the existing nuclear plant must first be extended until 2036, for which significant work is currently underway. “By 2036, our intention is to have a new nuclear power plant; our preliminary vision is that it will be 400-600 MW in capacity, replacing the existing nuclear facility,” clarified Sanosyan, emphasizing that the government continues to encourage the expansion of solar plants.

He added that there are currently interesting projects related to wind power technology that are in progress. “I believe that the policy we are pursuing is balanced and correct, and we are not only able to meet our own energy needs, but we are also an electricity-exporting country and wish to increase those export volumes. Specifically, large transmission lines to Iran are currently being constructed, which will increase the capacity for electricity exports to Iran. Moreover, we have a very interesting and mutually beneficial agreement with Iran, whereby Iranian gas is imported into Armenia, converted into electricity, and then exported to Iran,” elaborated the Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure.