The government of Armenia has approved signing a nuclear safety co-operation agreement with the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Under the agreement with the Nuclear Safety Regulatory Committee of Armenia, NRC will support Armenia to strengthen its regulatory body and to develop the skills and abilities of the Armenian NPP personnel. This includes the licensing stages for construction of a new NPP, as well as analysis and assessment of safety.
Scientific and technical assistance under the agreement will promote physical protection of the Armenian NPP; implementation of nuclear non-proliferation guarantees; the safety of radioactive materials & waste; environmental monitoring; and development of safety-related regulatory documents.
Cooperation between Armenia and the US on technical exchange of information on nuclear safety issues began in 1995 and the first formal agreement was signed in 1997. It has since been renewed every 10 years, in 2007 and 2017. In December 2021, the US proposed a new agreement providing for cooperation on nuclear & radiation safety regulation in the field of atomic energy use.
The Armenian NPP, 30 km west of Yerevan, was built in the 1970s with Soviet assistance but was closed following a devastating earthquake in 1988, although the plant was not damaged. One of its two VVER 440-V230 light-water reactors was reactivated in 1995 with Russia’s help in face of severe energy shortages.
In March 2014, Armenian government decided to extend the plant’s service life up to 2026. The extension was financed by a Russian $270m loan and a $30m grant. In June 2022 the Armenian NPP and the Rusatom Overseas JSC (part of Rosatom) signed a memorandum of understanding to start preparations for construction of a new nuclear unit.
Image: The Armenian nuclear power plant (courtesy of ANPP)
