Armenian NPP: Construction and Execution

The Armenian nuclear power plant provides almost a third of the country's electricity needs. This is the only nuclear power plant in the South Caucasus region. At the moment it is being exploited, but its future is in question.

Description

There is an Armenian nuclear power plant near Metsamor, which is located 30 km south of the capital of the state. The station has two units equipped with VVER-440 reactors manufactured in the Russian Federation. These first-generation plants produce 440 MW (electric) and 1375 MW (thermal).

In 2012, Armenia produced more than 8 billion kWh of electric power. Approximately 29% of them came from the nuclear power plant. The location of the facility is a major drawback, which has not been hampered by numerous discussions so far. In the event of an emergency, the active zone of the reactor must be cooled with a large amount of water. And it may simply not be enough, since the plant is located high in the mountains.

History

The erection of this very complex from the engineering point of view of the construction, which had a large number of complicated equipment, required close attention to the work of all subcontractors who installed the machinery. The scope of the work is amazing, from the excavation alone, more than 6 million m ^{3 of} soil was extracted.

In 1976, the Armenian nuclear power plant was put into operation. The first block has started. The nearest town is Metsamor, whose name is sometimes attributed to the nuclear power plant. The settlement depends entirely on the operation of the nuclear power plant.

Together with the construction of the station, construction of Metsamor infrastructure was underway. For a huge staff, the necessary conditions for living in the city were created. A school, a kindergarten, a medical institution, and cultural objects were built.

After the launch of the station, measures were taken to improve its work. Some nodes were replaced to improve the reliability and safety of nuclear power plants.

The project was created in 1969. He supervised the construction work of the Institute of Atomic Energy. Kurchatov. In 1980 the power unit No. 2 was launched. There were plans to create 3 and 4 units. However, the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant made freeze all projects.

Earthquake

In December 1988, the country experienced a severe earthquake. In the area of the nuclear power plant, the force of the tremors was 6.25 points. The energy facility did not receive any damage, which was confirmed by the results of the work of a specially created commission that examined the buildings, facilities and equipment of the station. However, seismic activity in the country forced the government of the Armenian SSR to take a decision to stop both units of the nuclear power plant in February and March next year.

In 1993, the energy situation in the state became tense. The governing body of the Republic of Armenia decided to proceed with the restoration work at the nuclear power plant. After 2 years the power unit No. 2 was put into operation. Now it provides about 40% of the country's electricity needs.

Who owns the Armenian NPP

The station is the property of the government of the republic. It owns all 100% of the shares of nuclear power plants and by law can not sell them. In 2003, there was a signing of securities, according to which the financial activity of the enterprise passed under the control of Inter RAO UES. The agreement was to be valid until 2013.

However, at the end of 2011 the company from Russia terminated the contract, without waiting for the expiration of its validity. At the beginning of the next year, the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Armenia became the financier.

How much will the Armenian NPP work? The owner (in the person of the government) said that the operation of the nuclear power plant will last until 2026.

Problems

Experts believe that the station can work only until 2016. Their main concerns are related to the high seismicity of the region, as well as to the morally and physically obsolete equipment. It has served for several decades without modernization and replacement. The desire of the European Union for these reasons to conserve the nuclear power plant is so great that it is ready to allocate for this 200 billion euros.

The aggravation of the situation occurred after the disaster at the Japanese station "Fukushima-1", where the integrity of the blocks was violated as a result of the earthquake. At the Armenian NPP, this effect was simulated and it was concluded that it would not lead to any destruction.

The only decision taken by the Republic of Armenia is to freeze the plans for a new nuclear power plant. But only for a while.

The country needs a new nuclear power plant, for the construction of which $ 5 billion is required. Without it, the state will lose its dependence on foreign electricity. For these reasons, the government extended the life of the nuclear power plant for a decade.

The authorities are looking for investors who are able to finance this project. Armenia even refused to monopolize power blocks. A number of countries expressed their interest in construction. It is hoped that in the near future the financial issue will be resolved and the state will receive a modern nuclear power plant.

Armenian Nuclear Power Plant: accident

The largest accident occurred at the station on 15.10.1982 - a fire in the engine room of the first power unit. The fire extinguishing lasted about 7 hours by the forces of 110 firefighters.

Why do not Armenian nuclear power plants work? The answer to this question is not connected with the accidents that occurred at the station. First, the Armenian nuclear power plant is functioning at the moment. Secondly, the future of nuclear energy depends on investment and solving financial problems.