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CONSTRUCTION OF NEW REACTOR FOR ARMENIAN NPP REMAINS ROSATOM PRIORITY
ARKA
Oct 26, 2011
YEREVAN, October 26. / ARKA /. Nikolay Spassky, a deputy chief
executive director of Russian state nuclear agency Rosatom, said today
in Yerevan that construction of a new reactor for Armenian nuclear
power plant is one of priority international projects of Rosatom.
Mr. Spassky was quoted by Novosti-Armenia news agency as saying that
he was involved in the preparation of an intergovernmental agreement
on the construction of a new reactor for the Armenian NPP, which was
signed last year during Russian president Dmitry Medvedev's visit
to Armenia.
"From the official point of view this project has the highest status
being made as an intergovernmental agreement," said Spassky, adding
that he could not comment on media stories in Russia about its attitude
to the project, but could voice the official position of Russia and
Rosatom corporation which he represents.
"I repeat that we are not just ready to help Armenia build a new
reactor, we want to participate in it. We are ready to participate in
the financing of the project and are willing to participate further
in the future operation of the new reactor," said Spassky.
Spassky said also the specific parameters of the project remain
at the discretion of the Armenian side. According to him, like
any other project the construction of nuclear power unit is very
difficult, requiring strict adjustments. Spassky said that the sides
have moved forward substantially one year after the signing of the
intergovernmental agreement.
In turn, Armenian deputy minister of energy and natural resources,
Areg Galstyan, said the work is being carried out in accordance with
Armenia's law and international conventions and in accordance with
a schedule.
The Armenian Metsamor nuclear power plant is located some 30 kilometers
west of Yerevan. It was built in the 1970s but was closed following
a devastating earthquake in 1988. One of its two VVER 440-V230
light-water reactors was reactivated in 1995. Armenian authorities
said they will build a new nuclear power plant to replace the aging
facility. The new plant is supposed to operate at twice the capacity
of the Soviet-constructed facility. Metsamor currently generates some
40 percent of Armenia's electricity.
But the government has yet to attract funding for the project that
was estimated by a U.S.-funded feasibility study to cost at as much
as $5 billion. Under a 2003 agreement Armenian nuclear power plant's
financial flows are managed by Russian Inter RAO UES, owned by Russian
state-run Rosatom corporation. The agreement expires in 2013. In
2010 Russia and Armenia signed an agreement on cooperation in nuclear
energy sphere whereby Russia committed to assume 20% of all expenses.
The Armenian government will cover another 20% and the remaining part
is supposed to come from investors.
From: A. Papazian
ARKA
Oct 26, 2011
YEREVAN, October 26. / ARKA /. Nikolay Spassky, a deputy chief
executive director of Russian state nuclear agency Rosatom, said today
in Yerevan that construction of a new reactor for Armenian nuclear
power plant is one of priority international projects of Rosatom.
Mr. Spassky was quoted by Novosti-Armenia news agency as saying that
he was involved in the preparation of an intergovernmental agreement
on the construction of a new reactor for the Armenian NPP, which was
signed last year during Russian president Dmitry Medvedev's visit
to Armenia.
"From the official point of view this project has the highest status
being made as an intergovernmental agreement," said Spassky, adding
that he could not comment on media stories in Russia about its attitude
to the project, but could voice the official position of Russia and
Rosatom corporation which he represents.
"I repeat that we are not just ready to help Armenia build a new
reactor, we want to participate in it. We are ready to participate in
the financing of the project and are willing to participate further
in the future operation of the new reactor," said Spassky.
Spassky said also the specific parameters of the project remain
at the discretion of the Armenian side. According to him, like
any other project the construction of nuclear power unit is very
difficult, requiring strict adjustments. Spassky said that the sides
have moved forward substantially one year after the signing of the
intergovernmental agreement.
In turn, Armenian deputy minister of energy and natural resources,
Areg Galstyan, said the work is being carried out in accordance with
Armenia's law and international conventions and in accordance with
a schedule.
The Armenian Metsamor nuclear power plant is located some 30 kilometers
west of Yerevan. It was built in the 1970s but was closed following
a devastating earthquake in 1988. One of its two VVER 440-V230
light-water reactors was reactivated in 1995. Armenian authorities
said they will build a new nuclear power plant to replace the aging
facility. The new plant is supposed to operate at twice the capacity
of the Soviet-constructed facility. Metsamor currently generates some
40 percent of Armenia's electricity.
But the government has yet to attract funding for the project that
was estimated by a U.S.-funded feasibility study to cost at as much
as $5 billion. Under a 2003 agreement Armenian nuclear power plant's
financial flows are managed by Russian Inter RAO UES, owned by Russian
state-run Rosatom corporation. The agreement expires in 2013. In
2010 Russia and Armenia signed an agreement on cooperation in nuclear
energy sphere whereby Russia committed to assume 20% of all expenses.
The Armenian government will cover another 20% and the remaining part
is supposed to come from investors.
From: A. Papazian