YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)–Under the WANO’s "Twinning" program the representatives of the Board of Directors of German nuclear power plants are on a visit to Armenia.
The "Twinning" program is currently under implementation in all the countries of Eastern Europe and the former Soviet republics. The program is aimed at raising the safety of nuclear power plants through the exchange of experience.
During the joint meetings–Armenian and German experts discussed the issues of cooperation in solving technical problems and developing relations.
The sides signed a protocol of intents on cooperation between the Armenian nuclear power plants and the German nuclear power plants. The sides agreed to cooperation in solving a number of problems. In particular–the Armenian side will render assistance in seismic safety–and the German’side will provide necessary equipment. Director of the WANO Moscow-based office Farit Tukhvetov said that a more detailed agreement between the Armenian power plants and one of the German plants is expected to be signed in the future. As to which of the 13 NPPs operating in Germany will be chosen–Tukhvetov said that a decision will be made at the next meeting of the Board of Directors of the German nulcear power plants to be held in Hamburg late in May.
All the energy spheres should be developed in Armenia. But–taking into account the factor of less dependence on supply of fuel from outside–we should have a nuclear power plant," Director of the Armenian Nuclear Souren Azatian told a news conference Thursday.
Azatian reported that the Armenian nuclear power plants generate two billion kw/h of energy a year. To generate the same quantity of energy at a heat and power plant would require a considerable quantity of fuel (2,000 tons of mazut for 24 hours).
Azatian reminded those present that two ways of developing the energy system in Armenia were discussed in the speech of the minister of energy. In particular–it was suggested that a steam-gas plant be installed in place of the obsolete equipment in one case–and a new power plant be constructed in the other. With the degree of Armenia’s energy independence taken into account–preference was given to the second variant. Azatian is of the opinion that the basic energy should not depend on mazut or gas supplies.
Azatian told journalists that the projected service life of an average Armenian nuclear power plant is 30 years. The nuclear power plant has been operated for 14 years–therefore it can be operated for another 16 years.