Armenia summed up the results of the ANPP modernization project in 2019

On December 10, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to Armenia Sergey Kopyrkin and the Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures of Armenia Suren Papikyan visited the nuclear power plant to get acquainted with the progress of the project to modernize and extend the life of the plant. The project is being implemented within the framework of the Intergovernmental Agreement (IPA) between Armenia and Russia, the main task of which is to restore the resource and extend the operation of the station for 10 years, until 2026. The Ministry of Railways envisages providing a loan to the Armenian side in the amount of $ 270 million and a grant in the amount of $ 30 million, which will be directed to improve the safety and efficiency of the station's operation. The general contractor for the modernization and life extension of the ANPP is the specialized service company JSC Rusatom Service, which is part of the electric power division of the State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom. “In accordance with the strategy for the development of the energy sector in Armenia until 2040, developed this year, the Armenian NPP will remain one of the most important energy facilities in Armenia in the medium term. The traditions of trust, mutual assistance and true friendship that have developed since Soviet times are a vivid confirmation of the special nature of bilateral relations between our countries, based on trust and mutual understanding, "said Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to Armenia Sergei Kopyrkin. As part of the press tour, the participants visited the turbine shop, where they got acquainted with the main works for 2019. Based on the results of previously implemented measures, a positive conclusion was issued for the operation of the equipment of the reactor plant until 2026. This period is confirmed by the necessary calculations and engineering studies. “During the year, the sprinkler system, one of the main safety systems of the station, was modernized. The survey of all equipment subject to inspection (about 5 thousand units) has been completed. Now the plant has completely replaced the equipment of the turbine hall, which allows increasing the generation of electricity by 10-15% with the same fuel consumption. We also prepared proposals for the further operation of the NPP after 2026 and gave recommendations on the options for the concept of extending the life of the ANPP, based on the experience of Russian nuclear power plants, ”commented the project manager for the extension of the life of the Armenian NPP from the Russian side, Yuri Sviridenko. ... Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures of Armenia Suren Papikyan noted: “The nuclear power plant is of strategic importance for Armenia. In terms of energy, it is important for Armenia to be not only self-sufficient, but also an exporting country. The Armenian NPP produces electricity in the base load mode, which is about 30-40% of the total balance of electricity consumption. It allows you to ensure the proper level of energy security and independence. I consider it necessary to emphasize that the safety of the operating power unit of the Armenian NPP is recognized as a priority task and is in the sphere of close attention of the country's leadership. An increase in the safety of the ANPP is carried out from the moment of restart and will continue until the last day of the plant's operation. Our ANPP operates in accordance with all international standards. All the measures to improve security and high marks from international structures indicate that the concerns of our neighbors, who question the security issue, are groundless. " Commenting on the development of cooperation between the countries in the energy sector, Sergey Kopyrkin noted: “Recently, Russia and Armenia have managed to come up with a number of important decisions that made it possible to extend the term of the Russian credit line, agree on a plan for the remaining work and look“ beyond the horizon ”, at least until 2030. These are important strategic decisions that fully fit into the recently updated Energy Development Strategy of Armenia until 2040 and allow our Armenian friends in a calmer environment, on the one hand, to competently build a tariff policy, on the other, to guarantee all consumers of friendly Armenia with cheap and environmentally friendly energy resources. It is important to implement what was planned within the agreed time frame. " *** JSC Rusatom Service is part of the electric power division of ROSATOM. The company provides foreign NPPs with VVER reactors with a full range of services and supplies required to ensure operation and maintenance. The company is present in almost all countries with operating nuclear power plants with VVER outside Russia. In the markets of China, Bulgaria and Armenia, Rusatom Service JSC occupies a leading position, being the general contractor of works on extending the service life, performing scheduled preventive maintenance and modernization of VVER NPP equipment. www.rusatomservice.ru