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ARMENIA TO TIGHTEN REGULATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF NEW REACTOR
Power Engineering Magazine
Nov 7 2012
Armenia intends to tighten regulations for the construction of a new
generating unit at the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant, the chairman
of the government committee for regulation of nuclear safety, Ashot
Martirosian told reporters on November 2.
He said the draft will be submitted to the government for consideration
next week. It will take into account the global community's new
approaches to the safe operation of nuclear power plants.
Martirosian said the new design requirements might increase the cost
of construction of the generating unit, which is currently estimated
at $5 billion, but he could not say by how much.
He said the draft of new procedures for assessing seismic risks will
also be submitted to the government for discussion. Regulations are
being tightened in light of the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan.
Martirosian also said that in February-March 2013 the European Union
will submit its final findings and proposals following a stress test
of the Armenian NPP.
The level of safety at the existing generating unit of the NPP is
improving and it is being monitored by the International Atomic Energy
Agency and international experts.
"I don't think that the results of the stress test will be so bad
that they will lead to the closure of the plant. This possibility is
virtually ruled out," Martirosian said.
He recalled that in October the Armenian government decided to extend
the service life of the existing generating unit, which currently
expires in 2016. The government's decision does not specify the
duration of the extension, but international experience indicates
that the service life of such VVER-440 reactors can be extended by
at least ten years, as has been done in Russia, Ukraine, Finland and
Eastern Europe.
Studies to be completed in May 2016 will determine the duration of
the extension. The IAEA and the United States support the extension
of the reactor's service life, but the EU has been opposed.
Martirosian also said the generating unit at the Armenian NPP is
operating at 92% of capacity, with 8% left in reserve to ensure
safe operation.
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, Energy and Natural Resources
Minister Armen Movsisian 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.
http://www.power-eng.com/news/2012/11/07/armenia-to-tighten-regulations-for-construction-of-new-reactor.html
From: Baghdasarian
Power Engineering Magazine
Nov 7 2012
Armenia intends to tighten regulations for the construction of a new
generating unit at the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant, the chairman
of the government committee for regulation of nuclear safety, Ashot
Martirosian told reporters on November 2.
He said the draft will be submitted to the government for consideration
next week. It will take into account the global community's new
approaches to the safe operation of nuclear power plants.
Martirosian said the new design requirements might increase the cost
of construction of the generating unit, which is currently estimated
at $5 billion, but he could not say by how much.
He said the draft of new procedures for assessing seismic risks will
also be submitted to the government for discussion. Regulations are
being tightened in light of the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan.
Martirosian also said that in February-March 2013 the European Union
will submit its final findings and proposals following a stress test
of the Armenian NPP.
The level of safety at the existing generating unit of the NPP is
improving and it is being monitored by the International Atomic Energy
Agency and international experts.
"I don't think that the results of the stress test will be so bad
that they will lead to the closure of the plant. This possibility is
virtually ruled out," Martirosian said.
He recalled that in October the Armenian government decided to extend
the service life of the existing generating unit, which currently
expires in 2016. The government's decision does not specify the
duration of the extension, but international experience indicates
that the service life of such VVER-440 reactors can be extended by
at least ten years, as has been done in Russia, Ukraine, Finland and
Eastern Europe.
Studies to be completed in May 2016 will determine the duration of
the extension. The IAEA and the United States support the extension
of the reactor's service life, but the EU has been opposed.
Martirosian also said the generating unit at the Armenian NPP is
operating at 92% of capacity, with 8% left in reserve to ensure
safe operation.
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, Energy and Natural Resources
Minister Armen Movsisian 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.
http://www.power-eng.com/news/2012/11/07/armenia-to-tighten-regulations-for-construction-of-new-reactor.html
From: Baghdasarian