Armenia may extend Metsamor nuclear plant operation until 2046

Armenia may extend the operation of its Metsamor nuclear power plant until 2046, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced in parliament on Wednesday, revising earlier plans to shut the facility down in 2036. The plant, which generates up to 40% of the country’s electricity, is the only nuclear power facility in the South Caucasus.

“We assume that it is possible to extend the plant’s operation for another 10 years, that is, until 2046,” Pashinyan said. 

Located west of Yerevan, Metsamor was commissioned in 1976 and was originally designed to operate for 40 years. It remained offline between 1988 and 1995, and its lifespan has already been extended twice by 10 years each. Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom supplies nuclear fuel, provides maintenance and has assisted with previous lifetime extensions.

Also read: How Armenia’s new partnership with the U.S. is likely to affect its energy sector

At the same time, Armenia is searching for a replacement facility, as it continues to rely heavily on nuclear energy. Rosatom has already pitched its project, while Yerevan has also reported holding talks with the United States, France, China and South Korea.

Earlier this week, Armenia and the United States signed the so-called Section 123 Agreement, joining 50 other countries American companies are authorized to share civilian nuclear technology with, including reactor designs and nuclear fuel. U.S. Vice President JD Vance said the agreement concerns small modular reactors and signals Washington’s confidence in supplying Armenia with advanced nuclear technology.

Also read: Armenia sets up company to draft roadmap for new nuclear power plant

If a U.S.-built facility were to replace Metsamor, it could help Armenia reduce its energy dependence on Russia. Moscow currently supplies natural gas used by households and thermal power plants, as well as liquefied petroleum gas used as car fuel. Russia’s energy giant Gazprom also owns Armenia’s gas distribution infrastructure.