IAEA SUGGESTS BUILDING NEW NUCLEAR PLANT IN ARMENIA

PanARMENIAN.Net - The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has worked out a program of development of the energy sector of Armenia till 2020, Chief of Armenia's Department for Control over Nuclear Energy Secure Use Ashot Martirosian told Arminfo news agency. In his words, the program provides for two options: replacing the capacities of the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) with alternative energy sources or building a new NPP in Armenia. Research has shown that the both options cost the same, A. Martirosian noted. One kW worked out by plants situated in the territory of the republic will cost approximately $1000-1200. He added the IAEA had approved the program and it would be made public and spread among its member countries soon. Martirosian noted that according to IAEA experts' estimates, from the point of view of the environment the building of a new NPP in Armenia is preferable, as in case of building thermoelectric power stations, the emphasis will be laid on substitution of the capacities of the Metsamor NPP, increasing the carbonic acid gas discharges into the atmosphere. When substituting for the capacities of 400-500 MW, the carbonic acid gas discharges will make about 1 million tons per year.