Mikhail Chudakov, Deputy Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Head of its Department of Nuclear Energy, stated that it would be logical for Armenia to construct a new nuclear power unit based on a Russian design. He made these comments at the World Atomic Week conference in Moscow.
“Armenia needs a nuclear power plant, and the most logical move would be to build a new unit with a Russian design to replace the existing one. This is completely logical. However, in recent years, we see that logic does not always prevail, political decisions often dominate,” Chudakov said, as reported by TASS.
As an example, he pointed to developments in Eastern Europe, where untested nuclear units are being installed.
“Entirely untested units are being implemented, drawn on paper, non-referential, lacking any pilot projects. Yet they are being purchased just to avoid choosing the Russian design, which has been tested, is reliable, performs well, and operates efficiently,” Chudakov stated.
According to Armenia’s government program, a new nuclear power unit is planned by 2036 to replace the current facility. Offers from various countries are under review. The Armenian Nuclear Power Plant (ANPP) provides about one-third of the country's electricity needs.
One of the memorandums signed between Armenia and the U.S. in August includes cooperation on energy, including the introduction of next-generation nuclear technologies and investment in electricity storage systems.
