Nuclear energy played a crucial role during the period of economic recovery following Armenia's independence. There is one nuclear power plant in Armenia, Metsamor, which has two reactor units. Unit 1 is out of operation, and Unit 2 was re-commissioned in 1995, after 6.5 years of outage. Armenian authorities have indicated that the plant will likely be shut down by 2016. The Russian Federation supplies nuclear fuel necessary for Metsamor's operation.
Amidst safety concerns, the United States and the European Union have provided technical and financial aid to Armenia to install safety upgrades. In January 2005, Metsamor Director Markosian said that the plant should be kept running to the end of its 30-year service life, or until the year 2016, but in November 2007 the government of Armenia approved a plan to shut down the plant.
During a July 2005 visit to Metsamor, IAEA Director-General Mohamed ElBaradei noted many improvements in the operation of Unit 2, but noted that further steps must be taken to meet international safety standards. He offered Armenia continued IAEA support to complete essential safety upgrading at Metsamor and to revise an assessment of Armenia's energy needs. He also agreed to assist with a feasibility study for a new nuclear power plant.
In April 2007, Russia and Armenia signed a memorandum of understanding calling for cooperation in the areas of geologic prospecting, extraction, and processing of uranium ores in Armenia. The two sides hope to have a joint venture in operation by the end of 2007. In addition, Armenia is reportedly considering joining the international center on uranium enrichment that Rosatom plans to establish in Angarsk.[1,2]
In November 2007, Armenian and Russian media outlets reported that the United States and Armenia were preparing to sign an energy cooperation agreement, which includes the joint development of environmental safeguards for the country's nuclear industry.[3]
Armenia has two known nuclear research facilities--the Yerevan Physics Institute and the Analitsark Plant in Gyumri.
Armenia is a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, has an Additional Protocol with the IAEA, and has ratified the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.
Sources:
[1] Alexei Breus, "Rosatom seeks access to Armenian U deposits," NuclearFuel, 26 February 2007.
[2] Alexei Breus, "Russia will help Armenia extract uranium ore to make nuclear fuel," NuclearFuel, 7 May 2007.
[3] "Armenia, U.S. set to sign nuclear cooperation deal," RIA Novosti, 19 November 2007.
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Updated December 2007 |
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