Rosatom could extend the operation of the nuclear power plant in Armenia until 2036, but Yerevan is choosing the “aim to Europe”: Ovechuk

Rosatom could extend the operation of the nuclear power plant in Armenia until 2036, but Yerevan is choosing the “aim to Europe,” giving preference to incompetent European contractors.

This was stated by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Ovechuk in an interview with TASS. He pointed out that the nuclear power plant is licensed to operate until autumn 2026, “but preparations for extending its operation until autumn 2031 are nearing completion.” “This will be done. Our specialists also believe that it will be possible to extend its operation until 2036, but certain conditions must be met. At present, however, within the framework of Armenia’s European vector of development, the majority of the contract work for the extension is being handed to European contractors who have no experience working in seismically hazardous areas and who do not bother to coordinate with the plant’s chief designer,” Ovechuk noted.

In the Deputy Prime Minister’s view, “everyone has cause for concern” when “politically driven decisions begin to influence nuclear energy production technology.” Ovechuk further specified that a prerequisite for Rosatom to provide safety guarantees for the plant’s operation through 2036 is ensuring that the state corporation accounts for no less than 70% of the contracted work.