At the World Atomic Week forum in Moscow, Alexey Likhachev, Director General of Russia’s Rosatom State Corporation, pledged to do everything possible to ensure Armenia’s and its people’s interests are safeguarded, particularly in the nuclear sector, Sputnik Armenia reported.
He emphasized that the operating unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant is unique in the world, as it survived a magnitude-9 earthquake and was later restarted. With Rosatom’s assistance, Armenia is now extending its operation until 2036.
“We say, the plant is yours, but the pride is shared. We highly respect how you are choosing your next steps in nuclear energy, understanding their importance, as they define the country’s policy for at least the next 100 years,” Likhachev said.
He underlined that in recent years, the irreplaceable role of nuclear energy in the global energy system has become evident, citing its stability, reliability, long service life, and positive impact on both the economy and technological development.
According to Likhachev, more countries are adopting nuclear power as a development path, which also drives progress in adjacent sectors, including computational and industrial technologies. He added: “Technology alone does not improve life. A new philosophy is needed—one of equal access to the results of technological advancement.”
Following the August 8 Washington agreements signed with former U.S. President Donald Trump, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced that the U.S. is ready to provide modular nuclear reactor technologies to Armenia. One memorandum of intent covered cooperation in nuclear innovation and energy storage systems. Meanwhile, in 2023, Rosatom Service and the Armenian NPP agreed to extend the plant’s operation until 2036, while the government also considers building a new reactor.
