Armenian nuclear power plant requires higher levels of safety precautions

The Fukushima disaster brought up nuclear issues all over the world, and the Armenian plant is no an exception. It is located in a seismically active region, and several neighbouring countries expressed their concern at its condition and the safety measures implemented by its managers. The Armenian Energy and Natural Resources Minister said that the events in Japan will not affect Armenia's nuclear program and the intention to build yet another energy block at the plant. He pointed out that the Fukushima disaster was triggered by a tsunami and not by the quake itself, and that the Armenian nuclear plant has already passed the test of the 1988 earthquake successfully. The Minister also emphasized that the new block will be constructed in accordance with international safety standards.

Currently, the Armenian energy plant consists of two blocks, constructed in 1976 and 1980. After the terrible earthquake of 1988 the operations of the plant were stopped on the orders of the Soviet government and it was launched again only in 1995.

The main concern of the Armenian Energy Ministry is, however, the safety measures to support the security of the two old reactors. The IAEA is constantly supervising the plant. Its special international expert mission conducted a thorough check of the facility in the period May 16 – June 2. According to the mission’s report, the condition of the plant is satisfactory: the experts proposed several measures for improving the facility’s security, but on the other hand noted several positive practices that they would like to recommend to all nuclear facilities all over the world. As for reviewing the reactors’ exploitation terms, the mission’s recommendations will be ready in 3 months.

Armenia's international obligations dictate that the country will try to shut down these out-of-date blocks as soon as possible, before 2016. The Armenian parliament chose the ‘nuclear’ scenario of the country’s energy system development, so a new block is to be constructed with the help of Russian specialists. Russia will also cover 20% of the expenses.

According to the chief executive officer of Armenian plant, his organization promises to implement all IAEA recommendations within 18 months, as well as conduct a special stress-test to recheck the durability of the reactors.

Armenian experts believe that today’s nuclear power plants are much safer than the Chernobyl station. That is why in the modern world such catastrophes are less likely to happen. Moreover, each year much money is spent on improvement of nuclear power stations in order to make them safer.

Susanna Petrosyan, Yerevan. Exclusively to VK