YEREVAN, September 3. /ARKA/. The second unit of the Armenian NPP was restarted and connected to Armenia's unified energy system on September 1 after the completion of scheduled preventive maintenance (PPM) 2026, according to the NPP's website.
It was previously reported that on April 1, the unit was disconnected from the power system due to major repairs and the implementation of a program to extend the operational life of the NPP. The work was expected to take about five months.
According to the NPP's statement on Thursday, the unit was launched in accordance with established technological procedures after successfully completing the necessary checks and tests.
As part of the PPM-2026, about 20 comprehensive measures were implemented aimed at improving the reliability of the main systems and equipment of the unit, extending their operational life, and further enhancing safety levels.
During the repairs, scheduled technical maintenance, repairs, diagnostics, and inspections of the main and auxiliary equipment were carried out.
At the same time, the implementation of technical modernization programs aimed at ensuring safe, stable, and efficient operation of the unit continued.
The work planned under PPM-2026 was also carried out under the supervision of the Armenian Nuclear Safety Regulatory Committee.
Currently, the second unit of the NPP is operating in normal mode. Its capacity is gradually increasing in accordance with established technological requirements while meeting safety and reliability standards.
About the Armenian NPP
The Armenian NPP, the only one in the South Caucasus region, is located near the town of Metsamor, about 30 km west of Yerevan. The station is one of the main sources of electricity in the country, providing up to 40% of total output. Its resource has been extended until 2026, and work is underway for a further 10-year extension.
A new NPP is planned to be built within 8-10 years, with various options currently being compared and the experience of partners from Russia, the USA, France, and South Korea being studied. The Armenian side is already considering a preliminary feasibility study for the construction of a new 1200 MW block developed by the state corporation "Rosatom".
Earlier, Kirill Komarov, the first deputy director general of Rosatom, stated in response to a question from the ARKA agency that the corporation could offer Armenia nuclear reactors with capacities ranging from 50 to 1000 MW. According to him, there is, in particular, the possibility of "assembling" a reactor of any power from 50 MW blocks.
