Yerevan considering conventional reactors and SMRs
The International Atomic Energy Agency is ready to help Armenia in realising its future nuclear energy plans, the agency’s director-general Rafael Grossi said during his two-day visit to the country.
Grossi and Armenian president Vahagn Khachaturyan discussed the importance of strengthening Armenia’s nuclear sector in view of the country’s plans to extend the lifetime of its Armenian-2 nuclear power plant and its considerations in building a new conventional reactor or a small modular reactor (SMR).
Today, a quarter of Armenia’s electricity is generated at the Armenian-2 reactor, the country’s only operational commercial nuclear plant.
Grossi and Armenian president Vahagn Khachaturyan discussed the importance of strengthening Armenia’s nuclear sector in view of the country’s plans to extend the lifetime of its Armenian-2 nuclear power plant and its considerations in building a new conventional reactor or a small modular reactor (SMR).
Today, a quarter of Armenia’s electricity is generated at the Armenian-2 reactor, the country’s only operational commercial nuclear plant.
The 415-MW pressurised water reactor unit, supplied by Russia, was reconnected to the national grid at the end of 2021 after a major retrofitting and refurbishment programme carried out by Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom.
It was shut down for six years following a 1988 earthquake, before being restarted again in 1995.
Last year, the Armenian Nuclear Regulatory Authority issued a permit to extend operation of Armenian-2, which began commercial operation in 1980, until September 2026. Armenian officials have suggested the plant could operate until 2036.
The country has also begun plans to develop a third plant, Armenian-3.
