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Interfax, Russia
Dec 13 2012
Armenia approves int'l risk assessment requirements for new nuclear power unit
YEREVAN. Dec 13
The Armenian government on Thursday approved the method and
requirements for Armenian-Russian joint venture Metsamorenergoatom to
build a new nuclear power unit in Armenia, Chairman of the State
Nuclear Safety Regulatory Committee Ashot Martirosyan told Interfax.
This project was drafted in accordance with the Atomic Energy Agency's
latest safety standards. It passed several international analyses in
2011 and 2012.
These requirements stipulate that geological, geophysical,
seismological and geotechnical research must be carried out at the
area where the new nuclear power unit will be built and operated.
The requirements take into account experience in nuclear power plant
operation in the U.S., as well as conclusions drawn from the Fukushima
disaster in Japan, Martirosyan said.
Metsamorenergoatom should evaluate the seismic risks at the site and
perform ground motion prediction equations. After it studies these
materials, the State Nuclear Safety Regulatory Committee will decide
on whether or not to clear the company to build the new nuclear power
unit. The Armenian Energy and Natural Resources Ministry will
determine the timeframes for all of this research.
The new unit is scheduled to be constructed at the site of the
currently running unit at the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant (NPP).
"This site has periodically undergone research by international
experts since 1993, and I don't think any unrated risks will be
detected under the new requirements," Martirosyan said.
Russia and Armenia signed an agreement on the construction of a new
1,060 MW generating unit with a light water VVER reactor at the
Armenian NPP in August 2010. Armenia and Russia's Atomstroyexport
(ASE) formed the 50-50 joint venture Metsamorenergoatom to implement
the project. The venture is also looking for investors for the
project.
Construction was to begin in the second half of 2012 or in 2013 and to
finish up in 2017. The cost of construction is estimated at $4-$5
billion.
In February of this year, Armenian Energy and Natural Resources
Minister Armen Movsisyan said that there are plans to build the power
unit in 2019-2020.
The Armenian NPP now has one 400 MW generating unit, the intended
service life of which ends in 2016. However, Armenia has already said
that the reactor will only be mothballed after a new one is built.
The Armenian NPP generates 46%-50% of the country's electricity.
Eb
From: A. Papazian
Dec 13 2012
Armenia approves int'l risk assessment requirements for new nuclear power unit
YEREVAN. Dec 13
The Armenian government on Thursday approved the method and
requirements for Armenian-Russian joint venture Metsamorenergoatom to
build a new nuclear power unit in Armenia, Chairman of the State
Nuclear Safety Regulatory Committee Ashot Martirosyan told Interfax.
This project was drafted in accordance with the Atomic Energy Agency's
latest safety standards. It passed several international analyses in
2011 and 2012.
These requirements stipulate that geological, geophysical,
seismological and geotechnical research must be carried out at the
area where the new nuclear power unit will be built and operated.
The requirements take into account experience in nuclear power plant
operation in the U.S., as well as conclusions drawn from the Fukushima
disaster in Japan, Martirosyan said.
Metsamorenergoatom should evaluate the seismic risks at the site and
perform ground motion prediction equations. After it studies these
materials, the State Nuclear Safety Regulatory Committee will decide
on whether or not to clear the company to build the new nuclear power
unit. The Armenian Energy and Natural Resources Ministry will
determine the timeframes for all of this research.
The new unit is scheduled to be constructed at the site of the
currently running unit at the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant (NPP).
"This site has periodically undergone research by international
experts since 1993, and I don't think any unrated risks will be
detected under the new requirements," Martirosyan said.
Russia and Armenia signed an agreement on the construction of a new
1,060 MW generating unit with a light water VVER reactor at the
Armenian NPP in August 2010. Armenia and Russia's Atomstroyexport
(ASE) formed the 50-50 joint venture Metsamorenergoatom to implement
the project. The venture is also looking for investors for the
project.
Construction was to begin in the second half of 2012 or in 2013 and to
finish up in 2017. The cost of construction is estimated at $4-$5
billion.
In February of this year, Armenian Energy and Natural Resources
Minister Armen Movsisyan said that there are plans to build the power
unit in 2019-2020.
The Armenian NPP now has one 400 MW generating unit, the intended
service life of which ends in 2016. However, Armenia has already said
that the reactor will only be mothballed after a new one is built.
The Armenian NPP generates 46%-50% of the country's electricity.
Eb
From: A. Papazian