Armenia and U.S. Discuss New Nuclear Power Plant as Yerevan Weighs Russian Proposal

YEREVAN — Armenia and the United States have discussed the construction of a new nuclear power unit as Yerevan evaluates international proposals to replace its aging Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant.

Armenian Deputy Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Narek Apitonyan met in Yerevan with a U.S. delegation led by Shauna Wilson, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Security Assistance, to review ongoing bilateral energy projects and prospects for expanding cooperation.

According to Armenia’s Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, the discussions focused particularly on the proposed construction of a new nuclear power unit. However, the official statement did not specify whether the United States had submitted a formal construction proposal.

During the meeting, Apitonyan announced the appointment of Garik Nalbandyan as acting chief executive of New Nuclear Power Unit Construction CJSC, the company responsible for advancing the project. He expressed hope that the appointment would accelerate preparations for the new facility, including cooperation with American companies.

The discussions come as Armenia faces a critical decision regarding its long-term energy security. With less than a decade remaining in the current operating period of the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant, the government is considering options for developing a replacement facility.

Recent statements by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan suggest that Armenia may now favor constructing a large nuclear reactor rather than the small modular reactors previously under consideration.

Russia has also expressed interest in the project. During a visit to Yerevan in late September, the head of Russia’s state nuclear corporation, Rosatom, presented a proposal to construct a VVER-1000 nuclear power unit, a water-cooled reactor with an electrical generating capacity of approximately 1,000 megawatts.

Following discussions with Prime Minister Pashinyan, Russian officials claimed that Rosatom had received positive signals from Armenia regarding its proposal.

However, the Armenian government has yet to indicate which country’s proposal it intends to prioritize.

Pashinyan has emphasized that the final decision will be based primarily on economic and technical considerations, including cost, quality, safety, construction timelines, and guarantees.

The selection of a new nuclear power project will be a major decision for Armenia, shaping the country’s energy infrastructure, electricity generation capacity, and long-term energy security for decades to come.