YEREVAN. – Exploitation of the Armenian nuclear power plant may be technically extended after 2016, said Gabor Vamos, head of International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) team arrived in Armenia.

The world has examples of extension of operating NPPs with similar reactors, he told journalists on Thursday.

However, he stressed that the question is not on the agenda of the Armenian NPP. Vamos noted that operation of any nuclear power plant is a risk, but in the case of Armenian NPP, this risk is acceptable.

The IAEA’s Operational Safety Review Team, consisting of 11 experts from 8 countries, has monitored state of Armenian NPP’s equipment and working processes. The experts also interviewed the NPP’s staff. They gave recommendations on improvement of power plant’s work in six directions.

However, Gabor Vamos expressed satisfaction with the work of the Armenian NPP, stressing that other countries should follow Armenia’s lead.

Head of IAEA’s team considers commendable the fact that Metsamor NPP takes efforts to improve the safety of the plant on its own. Meanwhile, special organizations are responsible for this work in Europe.

Besides, Vamos noted that it was staff’s initiative to supplement a three-level cooling system with the fourth one which increased safety of the plant significantly.