Project Description
10 Years in Armenia
- - repairs
- - modernization of systems and equipment
- - supply of spare parts and equipment
- - engineering and technical support for operation
Lifetime Extension until 2026 and Modernization of the Armenian NPP (2015-2021)
General Project Description
Overall, as part of the turbine equipment modernization, 1,500 tons of new main equipment were supplied to the turbine hall, including 2 turbines, 4 condensers, 2 turbogenerators, 2 unit transformers, 4 steam superheater moisture separators, and 6 ECPs.
Work on the reactor plant included modernization of safety systems and automated control systems, as well as justification for the further operation of the reactor plant and about 5,000 pieces of equipment, including:
- - A complex of R&D: inspection, calculations (thermal-hydraulics, strength, etc.), metallurgical studies, non-destructive metal testing
- - Repair of the reactor plant (vessel, upper unit, SG)
In 2021, as part of the plant's modernization and lifetime extension until 2026, a unique reactor vessel annealing operation was also carried out. The reactor vessel is the main non-replaceable component of a nuclear power plant. The annealing process restored the performance properties of the reactor's metal shell to 80-85% of their original condition and extended the service life of the reactor vessel until 2039.
As a result of the work performed, the unit's capacity was increased from 380-390 MW to 440 MW.
In 2021, based on the prepared documents, the Armenian regulatory authority made a decision to extend the unit's operating license and issued a license allowing Armenian specialists to operate the nuclear power plant until 2026.
Key Project Figures
Contribution to Sustainable Development
Second Lifetime Extension of the Armenian NPP until 2036
Completion of the Annual Work Scope within the Framework of the Second Lifetime Extension at Unit 2 of the Armenian NPP
In 2025, a significant set of measures was completed, aimed at further enhancing the safety and reliability of the only nuclear power plant in the Republic of Armenia, as well as confirming the possibility of operation during the repeated additional term.
Key Results of 2025:
Safety Assessment and Assurance:
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The full set of initial data has been collected and an analysis of fire impact on the safe shutdown of the reactor plant has been initiated to assess the sufficiency of fire protection.
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The technical condition and residual life of a number of building structures, buildings, and facilities have been determined, including the spent fuel pools of Units 1 and 2, the emergency boron injection unit, solid low-level waste storage facilities, as well as electrical equipment and cables of safety-related systems within the responsibility of the Russian side according to the contract division.
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Work has begun to determine a new configuration of the Emergency Core Cooling System (ECCS) to expand the spectrum of considered design basis accidents.
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Power Plant personnel have been certified in destructive and non-destructive testing methods.
Equipment Modernization and Inspection:
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Modernization of ventilation and air conditioning systems for the boron injection unit (V&K BU) and the planned 2025 volume for the Essential Service Water System (ESWS) has been completed, including the assembly of prefabricated piping modules with quality control.
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Secondary instrumentation and primary transducers for the control and automation panels have been supplied; new emergency lighting panels have been delivered.
Scientific and Technical Justification for Lifetime Extension:
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The specimen assemblies with witness samples were removed from the reactor vessel and delivered to a research institute for analysis of the metal properties. The results will serve as the foundation for evaluating the reactor vessel condition.
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A set of documentation on reassigning the service life of reactor plant equipment and pipelines until 2031 has been developed and handed over to the customer, including radiation load calculations, thermal-hydraulic calculations, and boundary condition calculations.
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Methodologies for assessing reactor plant equipment and pipelines, Main Circulation Pumps (MCPs), and main isolating valves have been developed and agreed upon. The preliminary assessment of the aforementioned NPP elements confirms the presence of residual life in key equipment.
Preparatory and Design Work:
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Expert review and supervision of neutron-physics calculations for the 37th fuel loading of the VVER-440 reactor have been conducted.
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Design documentation for the modernization of MCP oil supply systems has been developed and submitted for approval.
The coordinated teamwork of Russian and Armenian specialists ensured the planned completion of all activities scheduled for 2025. Steady progress in implementing the PLE-2 project lays a solid foundation for the safe and reliable operation of Unit 2 of the Armenian NPP during the extended operational period.
