OREANDA-NEWS. August 31, 2010.  The construction of a new NPP power unit in Armenia is to be started in 2010. Deputy Minister of Energy and Natural Resources of Armenia Areg Galstyan reported this information to journalists in Erevan on August 24.

“Preparatory works at the construction site of a new power unit are to be started in 2011, and in case of timely solution of all major problems the power unit construction will be started in 2012 and take 5 years,” Galstyan A. said, as it was quoted by ARKA agency. The Deputy Minister reminded the fact that the corresponding intergovernmental agreement with Russia had been already signed.


In accordance with this document, the joint Armenian-Russian company – Metsamorenergoatom CJSC – will be the customer and owner of the new NPP unit and energy generated by it; and Atomstroyeksport CJSC will be the general contractor of the construction. Russian participation will involve equipment supplies for the “nuclear island” which in Galstyan”s opinion shall take about 20% of the whole project. Armenia, according to its lights, will be the second investor; negotiations are also being held with other investors. The assessment of value of the new NPP power unit construction in Armenia varies from 4 to 5 billion dollars.

Galstyan A. explained that the value would depend on the “used components, technologies and different approaches of experts”. Upon that, the return on investments into the new power unit construction will take about 20 years, which is a “very reasonable term” according to the Deputy Minister. As for technical and economic substantiation of the power unit construction, it has already been completed and passed the IAEA expertise. Galstyan A. added that in the nearest future this would help to go to the next stage – to put out a tender for the unit construction. He also stated that the new NPP would have a higher security level and longer operating life – up to 60 years.