The Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of Armenia has received the complete package of the preliminary feasibility study conducted by the American company Sargent & Lundy on replacing the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant (ANPP) with new, advanced American small modular reactor technologies. This is stated by Deputy Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of Armenia, Asatur Vardanyan, in response to a written inquiry by Armenian News-NEWS.am addressed to the Armenian government.

“Currently, the Republic of Armenia is considering proposals from various countries, including the four types of small modular reactor technologies of noted American origin. At this phase, a final position has not been formed on any technology, and no timeframes have been set for making relevant decisions or presenting a position. The process of evaluating and discussing technologies is ongoing,” the ministry’s response reads.

From May 19 to 22, experts from the American company Sargent & Lundy were in Armenia to provide technical advice on small modular reactor technology.

According to an official statement released by the US Embassy in Armenia, ​​experts from the Sargent & Lundy company, in cooperation with Armenian officials, have completed a preliminary feasibility study on the viability of replacing the ANPP with new, advanced American small modular reactor technologies. The report substantiated that it is appropriate for Armenia to consider four types of American small modular reactors.

Armenia’s ruling Civil Contract party’s parliamentary election program envisages clarifying and implementing the final selection of the technology for the country’s new nuclear power unit by the end of 2027.

At the same time, point 75 of the program envisages a double extension of the operating life of the 2nd power unit of the ANPP for the years 2026-2036, which means that Armenia will still continue to use Russian nuclear technology.

The Armenian Nuclear Power Plant is of strategic importance for the country, providing about 30 percent of the total electricity produced in Armenia and being one of the main pillars of the country’s energy system.