Also known as Oktembryan, Medzamor, and Medsamor
28km outside of Yerevan
General Director: Gagik Martirosyan
Prior to his appointment as general director on 7 June 2002, Gagik Martirosyan
served as the plant's chief engineer. Former General Director Suren Azatyan
resigned after reportedly disagreeing with the European Union's demands to shut
down the plant in 2005.[1,2]
VVER-440, V-230
Two
Unit 1: initial criticality 1975 (operational 12/76)
Unit 2: initial criticality 1975 (operational 12/79)
Unit 1: 240 MWe (400 MWe capacity) (shutdown)
Unit 2: 400 MWe
Enriched to 3.3 percent U-235
The Armenian government closed Unit 1 on 25 February 1989, and Unit 2 on 18
March 1989 following the 7 December 1988 earthquake. Unit 1 remains inactive as
of 10 March 1997. Unit 2 resumed operation on 26 October 1995. Unit 2 is a
version of the V-230 model, also called a V-270 model, which has core
reinforcements such as additional water pumps for decay heat removal in the
event of seismic activity. A detailed background report
covering the decision to reopen the Metsamor plant is available. Metsamor has
experienced ongoing financial problems since its reopening.
In 1999 Metsamor produced about 36% of Armenian electricity output.
Metsamor is a member plant of the IAEA standard MPC&A system. In addition,
the Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Internal Affairs provide special forces
for guarding a wide and a narrow perimeter around the plant, respectively. The
Ministry of Internal Affairs also trains personnel to safeguard the interior of
the plant.
The question of whether Metsamor could be safely operated was a key issue
in debates over the reopening of the plant. Relatively few safety incidents have
been reported since the reopening. The Armenian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (Armgosatomnadzor)
was created 16 November 1993 to license the restart of Metsamor. It
supervises all nuclear safety issues and reports to the Prime Minister. The
Atomic Energy Safety Council, established under an agreement with the
International Atomic Energy Agency, serves as a consultative agent for the
Armenian president. Members of the AESC include experts from Europe, the United
States, and Russia. President Levon Ter-Petrosyan attended the first session on
7 May 1997, at which the members discussed the state of nuclear power
engineering in Armenia and safety at the Metsamor NPP.[4]
During the Soviet era, spent fuel from Metsamor was returned to Russia for
reprocessing at Mayak.[1] Since 1989, no spent fuel has left
Armenia.[2,3,4] After the 1989 shutdown of the Metsamor nuclear power
plant, spent fuel was temporarily transferred from the spent fuel pool to the
reactor cavity.[5] As of April 1996, Armenia had reportedly accumulated
160MT of spent fuel [6,7] with a projected annual increase of 13MT.[8,9]
Spent fuel was stored on-site in pools, which were full by 1997. In August
1998 Framatome completed construction of a dry storage facility at Metsamor
financed by a FF15.5 million grant and FF24.5 million in 40-year loans from the
French government. The facility is designed to hold 50 years' worth of spent
nuclear fuel.[1]
6/10/2003: ARMENIA
RECEIVES NUCLEAR FUEL FROM RUSSIA
A shipment of
nuclear fuel from Russia arrived on 10 June to the Metsamor
nuclear power facility, which had been shut down due to a lack of
fuel since 4 April 2003.[1] Over 103 containers of nuclear fuel worth $8
million were purchased by
Russian Unified Energy Systems (YeES Rossii),
the Russian electric company that controls Metsamor's
finances.[1,2] Because there is no railway connecting Russia with
Armenia, the fuel is being flown into the country.[3] The shipment will be
completed in a week and will allow Metsamor, which produces around 40% of the
nation's electricity, to resume production in July.[1,3] The shipments of
nuclear fuel arrived just days after an offer of €100 million from the European
Union to shut down the nuclear power plant safely and as soon as possible.[4,5] EU
officials are also looking for alternative electricity sources for Armenia, such
as the construction of a gas pipeline from Iran.[5] Armenian Minister of Trade
and Economic Development Karen
Chshmarityan said that Armenia
plans to continue operating the plant until the country can be provided with
alternate energy sources. According to some experts, the plant can continue
functioning until 2016.[3,5]
3/3/2003: ARMENIA DENIES
REPORTS OF PLANS TO CREATE CLOSED FUEL CYCLE
Ashot
Martirosyan, division head at Armatomenergonadzor, denied
reports of plans to build a nuclear fuel reprocessing plant in Armenia[1] that
appeared in a 3 March 2003 article on the CENTRAN information agency
website. According to the article, Armenia had requested financial assistance from the International
Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to build a nuclear fuel
reprocessing plant. Armenian government plans reportedly include the creation of a
closed nuclear fuel cycle over the next 10 years. The CENTRAN article says that
since all Armenian nuclear facilities have been placed under IAEA safeguards,
the request should be considered favorably.[2] Martirosyan, however,
said that Yerevan's declaration to the IAEA only confirmed that after
signing the NPT in 1993, Yerevan had placed its nuclear facilities under IAEA
safeguards.[1]
2/5/2003: RUSSIA ASSUMES
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT OF
5/1/2002: ARMENIA SEEKS JOINT
OPERATION OF METSAMOR
On 1 May 2002, ITAR-TASS quoted Armenian Minister of Energy Armen Movsisyan as
saying that Armenia was having trouble financing Metsamor. Further, he
said that his country was
negotiating with Russia regarding possible joint operation of the plant. One
option may be Russia's provision of nuclear fuel to the
plant. Another option, handing the plant over to Russian management (see the 9/26/2001
entry below), was ruled out by Armenian President Robert Kocharyan
in 2001.
11/15/2001: NUCLEAR POWER PLANT
RESUMES OPERATION
On 15 November 2001, Metsamor resumed operation after it was closed for planned
repairs and refueling on 10 July 2001. The plant's operation was to be suspended
for only 75 days but the downtime was extended because Armenia lacked funds to
pay for nuclear fuel, supplied by Russia. Russia demanded payment of $16 million
for previously delivered fuel as well as prepayment of $13 million for future
shipments. Armenia received the fuel, the last shipment arriving on 17 October
2001, after obtaining a $4 million credit from NIS Mezhgosbank.
9/26/2001: RUSSIA MAY MANAGE METSAMOR NPP
On 26 September 2001, Armenian
Minister of Energy Karen Galustyan
announced that Armenian and Russian presidents Robert Kocharyan
and Vladimir Putin had agreed to transfer Metsamor
nuclear power plant (NPP)
to Russian management.[1] According to Ashot Madoyan,
Director of Armenia's Scientific Institute of Environmental Problems of Energy,
Metsamor will be handed over to
Rosenergoatom
in order to repay Armenia's debt to Russia for provision of nuclear fuel.
Half of the plant will belong to Russia, acccording
to Madoyan.[2] Galustyan,
however, said that the transfer to Russian management is not directly related to
the financing of fuel purchases for the
NPP. He emphasized that,
according to Armenian legislation, the NPP
cannot become foreign property. As of 26 September 2001, Armenia and
Russia were working on the conditions of the transfer. According to the deal,
Russia will provide Metsamor NPP
with fresh nuclear fuel at a cost of $13.78 million.[1] After fuel
reloading at the end of October 2001,
Metsamor will resume operation,
Galustyan said.[3]
5/6/2001: SPECIALISTS FROM METSAMOR READY TO WORK IN IRAN
At a 5 June 2001 meeting between Iranian Ambassador to Armenia Mokhammad
Koleini and Metsamor General Director Suren Azatyan, the latter indicated that
enlisting specialists from Metsamor to work at Iran's nuclear power plants would
facilitate the integration of the region's energy system. He said that
Metsamor workers are indeed prepared to work at Iranian facilities, especially
during periods when the Armenian plant is idle.
11/20/99: RUSSIA TO DELIVER FRESH FUEL FOR METSAMOR
On 20 November 1999, in accordance with a $35 million credit agreement
signed in 1997, Russia began to deliver about 60 nuclear fuel cassettes to the
Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant. The plant had been shut down for maintenance for
the previous three months, but will now have enough fuel to operate for the next
year.[1,2] On 8 December, the plant resumed operation, generating 380 MW at its
second unit (92% of capacity).
3/2/99: ARMENIAN PRESIDENT SIGNS LAW ON USE OF NUCLEAR ENERGY
On 2 March 1999, Armenian President Robert Kocharyan signed the Law on the
Use of Nuclear Energy for Peaceful Purposes, passed by the Armenian National
Assembly on 1 February 1999.[1] This new law outlines the procedures for export,
import, and storage of nuclear and radioactive materials and radioactive waste.
It requires licenses for organizations dealing with nuclear energy, forbids the
import of radioactive waste, and prohibits the export of nuclear and radioactive
materials, radioactive waste, nuclear equipment, and nuclear technology to
countries that have not signed the appropriate international agreements.
The law provides for radioactive waste disposal in special facilities, and
according to Ashot Martirosyan, head of the Armenian Nuclear Regulatory
Authority (Armgosatomnadzor), the law might form
the legal basis for a nuclear code in the future.[2]
9/1/97: RUSSIA LOANS ARMENIA 249 BILLION RUBLES
The Russian government issued an ordinance on 1 September 1997 that
stipulates Russia's intention to loan Armenia 249 billion rubles ($42.7 million)
for further safety upgrades at the Metsamor nuclear power plant. The loan
disbursement will begin later in 1997, and the loan will be extended to Armenia
until 1 December 2010. Armenia will repay the interest on the loan
quarterly beginning in 2000. As a guarantee for the loan, Armenia has
given Russia a seven percent stake in Metsamor and a ten percent share of the
Nairit chemical plant.[1,2] The payments will begin once Armenia
repays previous Russian credits. In a 1994 110 billion-ruble agreement,
Armenia gave Russia a 15 percent stake in Metsamor, Nairit, the Yerevan cognac
distillery, and the Armelektromash electrical engineering plant.[2]
7/21/97: REACTOR UNIT TO SHUT DOWN FOR REFUELING
Armgosatomnadzor head Ashot Martirosian announced that one unit of the
Metsamor plant would be shut down until September 1997 in order to carry out
preventative safety measures and to load nuclear fuel.[1] Station director
Suren Azatyan announced that safety enhancements will be implemented as well.[2]
The fuel will be delivered to Metsamor from Russia sometime in August 1996.[3]
Other Armenian electric power plants will compensate for the loss of electrical
output to the country while the unit is down.[1] The United States has
offered $30 million in aid to the power stations to purchase additional gas and
fuel oil.[3]
7/17/97-7/18/97: BLIX AND ARMENIAN OFFICIALS MEET
IAEA Director-General Hans Blix met with Armenian Energy Minister Gagik
Martirossian and Foreign Minister Alexander Arzumanian in Yerevan to discuss
plans to construct a new nuclear power plant in Armenia.[1, 2] Blix and
his delegation encouraged the development of nuclear energy for peaceful ends
and promoted further cooperation with the IAEA to ensure nuclear safety in
Armenia.[2] Arzumanian emphasized the Armenian government's
acknowledgement of the importance of nuclear energy for Armenia and also
expressed interest in regional cooperation. Blix noted the IAEA's efforts
with respect to nuclear weapon-free zones and lauded the Armenian government's
open attitude toward nuclear energy.[1, 3] Martirossian noted that the
Armenian government hopes for more IAEA assistance for teaching personnel,
constructing a unit at the new nuclear power plant, and advising on new
legislation. Blix emphasized that the IAEA will continue to provide
assistance to Metsamor and stated that important progress has already been made
in improving safety there.[2]
7/17/97: METSAMOR SPENT FUEL DEPOSITORY PROJECT
PLANNED
Plans for the construction of a spent fuel depository in Armenia were
finalized in July 1997. Metsamor Station Director Suren Azatyan stated
that construction of a spent nuclear fuel storage facility should be completed
by the end of 1998. The hydroelectric construction firm Armgidroenergostroy will
build the facilty. The plan also includes delivery of transport canisters and
canisters for spent fuel to the site. The French firm Framatom has developed the
project, which has been funded by a FF 15.5 million grant (approximately $2.62
million) and FF 24.5 million (approximately $4.15 million) in long-term loans
from the French government.
6/17/97: METSAMOR CLOSES FOR REFUELING AND MAINTENANCE
Snark News Agency reported that the Metsamor NPP has been shut down for
scheduled maintenance and refueling. Aram Gevorkian, Head of the Nuclear Energy
Department of the Armenian Ministry of Energy, stated that the overhaul would
take place over a 60-day period.
5/29/97: ARMENIA AND TURKEY AGREE TO SIGN SAFETY PROTOCOL
ITAR-TASS reported that Armenia and Turkey have agreed to sign a protocol
ensuring safety at Metsamor. The protocol allows for cooperation in personnel
training, the exchange of seismological information, and the development of an
emergency action plan. ITAR-TASS stated that the signing of the protocol
represents an important step in Turkish-Armenian relations as no diplomatic ties
exist between the two countries.
5/97: AZATYAN SAYS ARMENIA SHOULD NOT OPEN UNIT 1
Metsamor plant manager Suren Azatyan reported that Unit 1 should remain
closed due to economic considerations. He stated that it would be more
cost-effective to use those funds to begin construction of a new nuclear power
station. Since the closure of Unit 1 after the 1988 earthquake, Metsamor
managers have removed parts and equipment from Unit 1 to refurbish Unit 2, which
reopened in November 1995. Azatyan suggested a new project to design and
build another nuclear reactor in an effort to protect Metsamor's 1200 employees.
This announcement contradicts his position in 1996, when he stated that the
restart of Unit 1 would provide better overall safety for the plant and greater
stability for the power grid. Meanwhile, Joseph Misak, Chairman of the Nuclear
Regulatory Authority of the Slovak Republic, recommended that Armenia begin work
on the most urgent safety upgrades at Unit 2, since TACIS money could take a
while to reach Metsamor.
5/97: EU INITIATES SAFETY PROJECT AT METSAMOR
In May 1995, the European Union introduced a program to upgrade safety at
the Metsamor NPP.[1] Peter Kelm, head of a delegation of European Union atomic
energy experts, outlined the ECU 10 million project, which includes primarily
equipment purchases. Kelm stated that the project is part of a larger safety
assistance program at Metsamor, which also involves aid to Armgosatomnadzor for
an evaluation of the Russian-Armenian modernization plan for the power
station.[2]
4/97: WESTERN AGENCIES OFFER MILLIONS IN AID TO METSAMOR
Armenia has not yet received any of the nearly $16.4 million in aid promised
by Western organizations for safety upgrades at Metsamor's Unit 2.[1,2]
Advisors to Armenian President Levon Ter-Petrosyan have advised against
postponing any refurbishments until the aid is disbursed, and Ter-Petrosyan has
promised to make funds available from the state budget.[2] The Western aid
promises resulted from a 1996 agreement between the European Union (EU) and
Armenia in which Armenia pledged to keep Unit 1 closed and to shut down Unit 2
"in the medium term." This pledge marks the first, large-scale Western
assistance since Armenia made the decision to reopen Unit 2 in 1992. The
European Commission will provide ECU 10 million ($11.4 million) in contracts to
Western firms taking part in its TACIS technical assistance program. Enel,
RWE Energie, and Tractebel are to carry out an ECU 8.4 million (approximately
$9.58 million) contract to complete ten projects at the plant, including on-site
inspection, purchasing spare parts from the decommissioned Greifswald VVER plant
in Germany, and drafting normal and emergency operation procedures. The
remaining ECU 1.6 million (approximately $1.82 million) will supply a
multipurpose simulator for Unit 2. In addition, the United States has
offered $5 million in assistance.[1] The West had originally opposed aid
to Metsamor in spite of Armenia's critical energy problems. After Armenia
made the decision to put Unit 2 back on line, Russia provided technical and
financial assistance.[1, 2] Only after the reactor was prepared to restart
did Western governments offer financial assistance through the TACIS program and
a safety analysis assistance project.[2] A West European safety and
technical consortium composed of the French-German organization Riskaudit (IPSN
and GRS), AEA Technology, and Belgium's Association Vincotte Nucleaire will
assist the Armenian Nuclear Regulatory Agency (Armgosatomnadzor) in analyzing
the safety upgrades.[1, 2] IPSN and GRS stated that Armenia predicts the
work program on Metsamor will total about ECU 45 million ($51.4 million).[1]
Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Agency of the Slovak Republic and member of
GRS Jozef Misak advised Armenia not to wait for the TACIS funds before upgrading
Unit 2 since it could take up to three years for these types of EU-funded
projects to materialize.[2]
4/97: RUSSIA TO DELIVER FUEL RODS TO METSAMOR; CONSTRUCTION OF STORAGE
FACILITY TO BEGIN IN LATE 1997
Russia is expected to deliver 120 fresh nuclear fuel rods on credit to the
Metsamor nuclear power plant in Armenia. 612 spent fuel rods are in storage in
two underwater containers at the power plant. There is room for 732 rods. Before
the breakup of the USSR, all spent fuel rods were shipped back to Russia for
storage. Now Armenia must store its own spent fuel. Currently, the French firm
Framatome is constructing a new Ffr40 million dry-storage facility in Armenia to
hold the spent fuel rods for another 60 years. Ffr17 million of that amount is
foreign aid, while the remainder will be paid back to France as a long-term
loan. Construction will begin before the end of 1997 and will last for several
months. Ashot Martirossian, head of Armgosatomnadzor, said that the ministries
of industry, health, and agriculture will take responsibility for inventory of
all radioactive material in Armenia.
2/6/97: ENERGY MINISTER DETAILS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO METSAMOR
Energy Minister Gagik Martirossian reported to the Armenian National
Assembly that so far, out of the $400 million necessary to reconstruct Metsamor
NPP, $30 million has been spent. He also stated that a $90 million credit
program from the World Bank and Japan will be presented in the near future. The
goals of the program are to restore control panels and high energy grids at the
power plant.
2/4/97: METSAMOR SHUTS DOWN FOR SEVERAL HOURS
Metsamor NPP was shut down for several hours due to wiring problems in the
turbogenerator. Plant officials stated that there was no danger to personnel or
the environment. The reactor was restarted later that day and the
turbogenerators began operation the next morning. An Armgosatomnadzor official
reported this incident as "the least dangerous" on the INES scale.
1/31/97: ARMENIAN PM AND ENERGY MINISTER VISIT METSAMOR
Prime Minister Armen Sargsian and Minister of Energy Gagik Martirossian
visited Metsamor NPP to familiarize themselves with the financial problems
facing the plant. Metsamor administration reported that the plant receives only
26 percent of the money it is owed. This debt has resulted in difficulty in
maintaining the plant and "solving the social problems of the employees."
Sargsian stated that nuclear energy is not simply an industry, but a policy as
well. He said that Armenia will continue to cooperate with international nuclear
associations and will work with the European Bank to receive additional funding.
1/23/97: METSAMOR DIRECTOR SPEAKS ON NEW NUCLEAR PLANT
Segodnya reports that Metsamor Director Suren Asatyan stated that
constructing a new nuclear power plant will cost an estimated $2 billion.
French specialists will build the plant using French equipment. The
reactors and steam generators, however, will be Russian-produced. The date
construction of the new plant will begin was not announced.
9/13/96: PRESIDENT SAYS METSAMOR WILL BE REPLACED
President Levon Ter-Petrosyan, speaking to Metsamor staff, asserted that
Armenia has no other choice than to construct another nuclear power station.
Petrosyan stated that Metsamor must be replaced by 2005-2007 because its present
resources will be "completely exhausted" by then. Talks are underway with
France, Germany, the United States, and Russia to begin construction in 1998 of
a plant with a generating capacity of 1000 MWe. This will compensate for the 400
MWe lost by Unit 1 and the current 600 MWe energy shortage in Armenia.
Segodnya reports that a second new plant will be completed by 2010 at
Metsamor.
8/26/96: RUSSIA AND ARMENIA SIGN LOAN AGREEMENT
Armenian Minister of CIS Relations Garik Shahbazyan and Russian First Deputy
Prime Minister Aleksey Bolshakov signed an agreement giving 88.3 billion rubles
in credit to Armenia to ensure the smooth operation of Metsamor. Other sources
report that 98.8 billion roubles were credited.
8/96: METSAMOR CLOSES FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AMID DISAGREEMENT OVER
RENOVATION COSTS
The Metsamor plant was shut down for regular maintenance and refueling,
originally scheduled for Spring 1996. Armenian and French specialists estimated
the total cost of a joint comprehensive renovation program to be $29 million,
although the plant manger believed that the total cost of fully implementing the
program would be three times higher. Since the reopening of the plant in 10/95,
it received only 2 billion drams (1 dollar = 425 drams in 8/96) out of the 10.5
billion drams owed to it by electricity consumers.
7/18/96: METSAMOR SHUT-DOWN DELAYED
A planned 55 day shut-down for maintenance and refueling of the
Metsamor plant did not take place due to a lack of funds for necessary parts and
equipment. The shut-down was scheduled for 7/15/96 and was to coincide with the
arrival of IAEA experts. It was postponed to 8/15/96.
6/17/96: FRANCE AND RUSSIA LIKELY TO ASSIST NUCLEAR PLANT
DEVELOPMENTS
Presidential spokesman Levon Zurabyan stated that, as a result of
negotiations which took place in June 1996 between Armenian President Levon
Ter-Petrosyan and French President Jacques Chirac, Armenia is likely to receive
economic and expert assistance for development of its nuclear energy industry.
Specifically, France will help Armenia to construct a new power plant by the
year 2007. The Russian and Armenian prime ministers reportedly also concluded an
agreement on cooperation in building the new power plant. The planned plant will
be located near Metsamor.
4/12/96: ARMGOSATOMNADZOR DENIES PLANS TO CONSTRUCT AN UNDERGROUND
STORAGE SITE FOR SPENT FUEL
The Chairman of Union of the Greens estimated the annual spent fuel output
from the operation of the Metsamor plant at 13 tons. If reprocessed this
could produce 212kg of plutonium. Armenia has neither the capability nor plans
to reprocess spent fuel. Ashot Martirossian, head of the Armenian Atomic Energy
Agency, Armgosatomnadzor, dismissed allegations of plans to build a spent fuel
underground burial site in Armenia.[1,2] However, in 1/96, Framatome of France
and Armenia's Metsamor nuclear power plant signed a contract under which
Framatome would construct a $7.8 million dry storage facility, including storage
casks for spent fuel, at the Metsamor nuclear power plant. The facility was
scheduled to be opened by the end of 1997 to accept 614 spent fuel assemblies
from the Metsamor plant. The project would be funded through loans and grants
from the French government. Framatome's subsidiary ATEA was to forge equipment
for the facility.[3,4,5,6]
2/1/96: ARMENIA TO RECEIVE LOAN AFTER METSAMOR UNIT 2 GOES ON LINE
According to Vigen Chitechian, Armenia's Ambassador to France, as soon as
Unit 2 at the Metsamor plant goes on line on 10/26/95, Armenia will meet all
qualifications to receive a loan from the EBRD's Nuclear Safety Account.
2/1/96: PLANT SIGNS CONTRACTS WITH FIRMS FOR SAFETY AND UPGRADING
Suren Azatyan, Metsamor's plant manager, stated that the plant signed more
than 250 contracts with various international firms to help upgrade and enhance
safety at the plant. More than 500 tons of equipment have been shipped to the
plant thus far.
1/11/96: GERMANY AND FRANCE WILL GIVE AID TO METSAMOR PLANT
Germany and France will assist Armenia in enhancing the safety of the
Metsamor nuclear power plant. Germany will provide DM 30 million. France pledged
FF 15.5 million in grants and FF 24.5 million in forty-year loans. Part of the
aid will be used to construct an on-site spent fuel storage facility.
11/9/95: ARMENIAN ENERGY SECTOR IN DEBT
The Armenian population owes $250,000 to the energy industry. The Armenian
energy industry's debt is around $750,000.
10/14/95: EXPERTS INSPECT RADIATION PROTECTION
A group of international experts visited Yerevan under the auspices of a
joint IAEA and UN program aimed at enhancing nuclear safety and radiation
protection. The group inspected facilities where radiation sources are used.
According to the experts, the IAEA plans to supply equipment for ensuring
radioactive safety of the facilities handling nuclear materials. Experts will
also assist Armenia in establishing a legislative base for the use of nuclear
energy.
9/15/95: EXPANSION OF METSAMOR UNDER CONSIDERATION
It was reported that Armenia is looking into building two additional
reactors at the Metsamor nuclear power plant.
8/10/95: ASAS IS REVIEWING UNIT 2 IN LIGHT OF SAFETY QUESTIONS
Armenia State Atom Supervision (ASAS) re-evaluated prospects for refueling
Unit 2 of the Metsamor plant, and will finalize the 3/95 safety upgrades before
Unit 2 is restarted. In 7/95, the ASAS tested the proficiency level of the
reactor operators who were trained at the Novovoronezh and Kola NPPs. According
to an agreement between Armenia and Russia, two Russian operators will be
working on site after reactor restart. The ASAS also suggested designing
emergency response procedures.
5/95: IAEA MISSION PROVIDES INFORMATION FOR FUTURE AID
The IAEA completed a fact finding mission to Armenia under the auspices of
a program aimed to enhance nuclear safety and radiation protection in order to
outline areas for future financial assistance in the nuclear sector.
1995: ARMENIA VIEWS NUCLEAR POWER IN ITS FUTURE
The Armenian government issued its program for meeting energy needs
through the year 2005. The plan envisaged operation of the Metsamor nuclear
power plant until the year 2005, and construction of a new power plant between
2005 and 2010.
Last updated 6 August 2003
Comments or questions? Contact Kenley Butler at MIIS CNS:
Kenley.Butler@miis.edu
|
