ROSATOM and Armenia agree to cooperate on new nuclear units construction

Yerevan, November 18 - Neftegaz.RU. On the sidelines of Expo 2020 in Dubai, which hosted the Russian Day of SMR NPPs (Small Modular Reactor Nuclear Power Plants) today, ROSATOM and the management of the Armenian nuclear power plant signed a Memorandum of Understanding to look into possible cooperation to construct new nuclear power units of Russian design in Armenia.

The agreement was signed by Evgeny Pakermanov, President of Rusatom Overseas (part of ROSATOM) and Eduard Martirosyan, General Director of Aikakan Atomajin Electrakayan (Armenian NPP).

Evgeny Pakermanov said:

• Using modern Russian nuclear technologies is part and parcel of uninterrupted power supply in many countries
• Further cooperation on the construction of new nuclear power units will no doubt become an important factor not only for the development of Armenia’s economy and growth of its welfare, but for further reinforcement of friendly neighbour relations between our 2 countries

The parties expressed their readiness to cooperate on considering the possibility of building new nuclear power units of Russian design in Armenia on the site of Armenian NPP.

Eduard Martirosyan noted:

• Armenia is closely following global decarbonization trends and the development of modern technology
• The only Armenian NPP now generates about 40% of all electrical power in the country and since 1977 has been a clean and reliable source of power
• When its service life reaches its end, we would like to keep nuclear power in the country’s energy mix
• That is why we are now considering our future with modern Russian nuclear technologies since they are some of the most advanced in the world

The Armenian NPP is the only nuclear power plant in the South Caucasus, accounting for more than a 3^rd of all electricity generated in Armenia.
The key Armenian-Russian project in the nuclear power industry is the modernization and life extension of Unit 2 at the Armenian NPP.

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