Pashinyan says modular nuclear power plant may not be enough for Armenia — Anadolu Agency

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that the planned modular nuclear power plant may not meet the country’s growing electricity needs. He said the government continues to discuss the construction of a new nuclear power plant.

From surplus to deficit

According to Pashinyan, Armenia had an electricity surplus just over a year ago, but the country is now facing a deficit. The prime minister linked the change in the situation to the scale of already approved investment programs, rather than only to the establishment of two artificial intelligence factories.

As Anadolu Agency reports, Pashinyan noted that Armenia needs to consider both electricity imports and its production from domestic sources. Previously, a modular nuclear power plant was seen as a sufficient solution because it is smaller than a conventional nuclear plant and can be deployed more quickly.

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Operating nuclear power plant

Armenia currently operates one nuclear power plant — the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant, commissioned in 1976. It is the only nuclear power plant in the South Caucasus; it is located about 30 kilometers west of Yerevan and has one operating power unit.

Another power unit was shut down after a magnitude 6.8 earthquake in 1988. Armenia is simultaneously exploring the possibility of building a modular nuclear power plant to replace the existing plant and is working to extend its operating life. Last month, Pashinyan reported negotiations on a new nuclear power plant with several countries, including the United States and Russia.