Russian state corporation Rosatom and representatives of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) have confirmed the safety of the operation of the second power unit of the plant until 2031, TASS reports, citing a statement from the Russian state corporation.

The fifth meeting of the Joint Coordination Committee was held in Yerevan with the participation of representatives of Armenia, Rosatom, and its enterprises. The participants discussed the implementation of the project for the double extension of the operation period of the Armenian NPP unit No. 2, as well as the results of the work carried out by Russian and Armenian specialists in 2024–2026. Within the framework of this project, buildings and structures with a total area of 15,890 sq. m were studied.

In addition, documents confirming the possibility of safe operation of the reactor plant until 2031 were developed and agreed upon. As a result of the meeting, the parties agreed on the implementation plan for 2027–2030.

As reported by Evgeny Salkov, General Director of Rosatom Service JSC, a complex of work to improve the main systems of the Armenian NPP is planned for 2027. These measures should ensure the further effective operation of the plant until 2036. The Armenian NPP is located near the city of Metsamor and has two power units with VVER-440 type reactors, which are designed for operation in seismic conditions.

The first power unit was commissioned in December 1976, the second in January 1980. After the devastating earthquake that hit Armenia in December 1988, the plant was shut down in March 1989. Its second power unit resumed operation in November 1995.

With the participation of Rosatom, its operating period was previously extended until 2026. The project for the double extension of the operating period of the second power unit of the Armenian NPP was launched in 2023. In December, Rosatom Service OJSC and plant operator ANPP CJSC signed a framework agreement for the implementation of the SZhE-2 program, which provides for the creation of conditions for the operation of the power unit until 2036.

The project includes a detailed inspection of the equipment, remedial melting of the reactor vessel, and modernization of safety systems and automated control systems. All work is carried out taking into account the requirements of regulatory bodies and international standards of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).