EcoLur
The scenario for the construction of a new power unit of the Armenian nuclear power unit has been changed. The government doesn't plan to construct a nuclear power unit with 1200 MW capacity any longer. Currently they are considering the option of constructing a power unit with less capacity, as Deputy Director for Energy Infrastructures and Natural Resources Hayk Harutyunyan told EcoLur.
'A power unit with 1200 MW capacity won't be constructed: it's was the programme of the old government. Currently we are considering the option of a reactor with less capacity. The situation is getting changes with the introduction of new technologies – modular reactors will less capacities: currently we are closely following their developments, as shorter time is required for their construction and they are more flexible in the energetic system. We will present our new vision in the frames of measures to be developed by September 2017,' Hayk Harutyunyan said.
In reply to EcoLur's question about the capacity of the power unit and extent of investments for it, the Deputy Minister said, 'The extent of investments depends on the capacity, while capacity depends on different scenarios of sector development. We have hundreds of scenarios of developing our system by 2036. If we set tariff for solar power and it becomes lower and more competitive, it will certainly change the balance. Wind power may also shift the balance, as well as gas prices. Energy development with minimum expenses is a flexible model, as many technologies are increasingly developing in the market and we can't fix something now and ignore new developments.'
'The second power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Unit will be taken out of operation in 2026. Whether the government will manage to solve the problem with the construction of a new power unit?' 'I hope, yes.' Hayk Harutyunyan responded. In reply to the question what will happen if they don't manage to construct a new nuclear power unit by 2026 and what our energy system will face, Hayk Harutyunyan said, 'There are certain scenarios and I don't think anything catastrophic will happen. If we couldn't construct a new nuclear power unit because of some reasons, it will exchange it with electricity received from other sources. It will depend on the further energetic balance, but now we don't discuss that we won't have nuclear energy. All scenarios envisage that we shall have nuclear energy.'
It should be mentioned that it was planned to launch in 2018 the construction of a new ANPP with 1200 MW capacity, the cost of which made up around 4.5 billion USD. Nevertheless, sufficient investments haven't been found for this programme.
January 24, 2017 at 13:38