Armenian nuclear power plant to be halted for planned repair
19.09.2016,
15:16
Armenia’s Nuclear Power Plant in Metsamor will be halted on September 20 midnight for the scheduled annual repair and refueling, a statement on the official website of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources said.
YEREVAN, September 19. /ARKA/. Armenia’s Nuclear Power Plant in Metsamor will be halted on September 20 midnight for the scheduled annual repair and refueling, a statement on the official website of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources said.
The ministry said the halt will be used also for the major repair of the operating unit ‘with the aim of extending its service life period.’ Due to this the halt period this year will be longer than usual, the ministry said adding that the facility will be reconnected to the power grid on November 20th.
The ministry noted that the planned halt of the nuclear power plant will not affect the electricity tariffs in the country.
The Armenian Nuclear Power Plant is located some 30 kilometers west of Yerevan. It was built in the 1970s but was closed following a devastating earthquake in 1988. One of its two VVER 440-V230 light-water reactors was reactivated in 1995.
Armenian authorities said they will build a new nuclear power plant to replace the aging facility. The new plant is supposed to operate at twice the capacity of the Soviet-constructed facility. The plant currently generates some 35 percent of Armenia's electricity.
In March 2014, Armenian government decided to extend the plant’s service life because of delay in building a new unit. The service life extension has become possible due to a $270 million Russian loan and $30 million grant. --0----
The ministry said the halt will be used also for the major repair of the operating unit ‘with the aim of extending its service life period.’ Due to this the halt period this year will be longer than usual, the ministry said adding that the facility will be reconnected to the power grid on November 20th.
The ministry noted that the planned halt of the nuclear power plant will not affect the electricity tariffs in the country.
The Armenian Nuclear Power Plant is located some 30 kilometers west of Yerevan. It was built in the 1970s but was closed following a devastating earthquake in 1988. One of its two VVER 440-V230 light-water reactors was reactivated in 1995.
Armenian authorities said they will build a new nuclear power plant to replace the aging facility. The new plant is supposed to operate at twice the capacity of the Soviet-constructed facility. The plant currently generates some 35 percent of Armenia's electricity.
In March 2014, Armenian government decided to extend the plant’s service life because of delay in building a new unit. The service life extension has become possible due to a $270 million Russian loan and $30 million grant. --0----
