Ivan Andrievsky, Managing Partner of NKG 2K Audit — Business Consulting:

Armenia needs a new power unit

On July 29 in Erevan the Armenian government meeting was held which approved conclusion of the agreement with the Russian government “On Cooperation in Construction of New Nuclear Power Units in the territory of Armenia”.

Ivan Andrievsky, Managing Partner of NKG 2K Audit — Business Consulting:

Armenia has historically close contacts Russia. That’s why even despite close relations with the USA the Russian-Armenian cooperation is advantageous for Erevan. Besides, Moscow has always supported and is still supporting Armenia in the difficult period of conflict with the neighboring states – first of all with Azerbaijan and Turkey. Notwithstanding its strained relations with Tbilisi Moscow continues to supply gas to Armenia in transit through Georgia. Thus, Armenia permanently feels the Russian support and first of all it’s ready to cooperate with Moscow.

Besides, if we speak about cooperation in the nuclear power industry in particular, the new power unit of the NPP is to be constructed near already existing units of Metsamor NPP. So, in construction of the new reactor the developers will use the already existing infrastructure familiar to Russian nuclear scientists. Furthermore, the USA as early as the stage of preparation of feasibility study of Armenia NPP new power unit project spoke about their readiness to cooperate only in attraction of construction financing.

Armenia needs a new power unit. The operating Armenia NPP lifetime expires in 2016. By this time the country has to construct new facilities to avoid power deficiency.

For Russian nuclear scientists participation in the construction of the new power unit of Armenia NPP is another step towards consolidation of their position at the world market. One also ought to bear in mind the economical constituent of the project the cost of which is preliminary estimated as 5 bln dollars. At the same time, the RF will proceed cementing its politico-economical relations with Armenia.