Yerevan consented to entering into an agreement with the Russian government over construction of new nuclear power plants in Armenia in the near future.
The Russian corporation Atomstroyexport proposed an AES-92 reactor plant (1060 MW, with an operational life of 60 years). Analogous nuclear power plants are being constructed by Russia in India and Bulgaria. Construction of the plant in Armenia will last about 4 years. The new plant will be situated 32 kilometers from Yerevan, 16 kilometers from the Armenian-Turkish border.
This matter has been discussed in Armenia for several years now. Yerevan undertook to shut the plant down by 2016, due to an agreement with the EU. The two operating units were started in 1976 and 1980. After the earthquake that took place in 1988, the plant was shut down by special USSR government decree. However, it was relaunched within 6 and a half years. The plant now produces 2 billion KWH annually. Last year the Armenian Parliament approved a project for the creation of a new power plant and the government approved the creation of the Russian-Armenian enterprise “Mezamorenergoatom”, in order to implement the project. The company’s authorized capital stock is $60 million. Construction will start in early 2011. It will be completed in 2016 and is projected to cost about $5 billion.
The energy sector is of particular importance to Armenia, due to foreign policy complications. Nowadays, Armenia has reached comparatively high energy independence. Approximately 60% of its energy is produced internally. Hydropower engineering provides less than 30% of Armenia's energy, and nuclear power engineering over 30%. Armenia has constantly undertaken to supply Iran with electric power for the past 25 years.
Some French, American and Japanese companies were also interested in the project. However, there is now tendering for potential investors and constructors. The Russian and Armenian authorities just recently came to agreement on this topic. Some experts think that Russia exerted pressure on the Armenian authorities.
Some experts think that the economic aspect of the issue is much more important. It would be much more difficult to deliver fuel from France, than from Russia. Strong economic links exist between Russia and Armenia.
20.08.2010 / Susanna Petrosyan, exclusive to VK
