Results of project to extend the service life of Armenian NPP power unit No. 2 have been summarized in Yerevan
07.10.2026
Participants in the Coordination Committee meeting discussed the results of the work completed, as well as the action plan for 2027–2030
The 5th meeting of the Joint Coordination Committee was held in Yerevan (Republic of Armenia), with representatives from the Republic of Armenia, the Rosatom State Corporation, and its subsidiaries participating to discuss the further extension of Power Unit No. 2 operating life at Armenian NPP. The Russian delegation was led by Kirill Komarov, First Deputy Director General and Director of the Development and International Business Division at Rosatom, while the Armenian delegation was led by Narek Apitonyan, Deputy Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of the Republic of Armenia. The event was also attended by Nikita Konstantinov, Deputy Director General and Director of Business Development at Rosenergoatom; Khachatur Khachikyan, Chairman of the Armenian Nuclear Safety Regulatory Committee; Evgeny Salkov, Head of Rosatom Service JSC; and Movses Vardanyan, First Deputy Director General of AAEC CJSC and Director of the Armenian NPP.
The meeting participants discussed the progress of the project, as well as results of the work carried out in 2024–2026 by Russian and Armenian specialists. It was noted that a number of buildings and structures with a total area of 15,890 square meters were inspected; documents confirming the safe operation of the reactor facility through 2031 were developed and approved; more than 500 items of equipment and materials were delivered; and the safety system—the system for supplying critical consumers—was modernized. A program to monitor the reactor unit metal is also currently underway.
The parties have fully agreed on results of the work completed, as well as on the implementation plan for 2027–2030. A report was signed based on results of the committee meeting.
Rosatom has carried out a significant amount of work to improve the plant safety and reliability including confirming that the reactor can operate safely to 2031. The following year will see a series of projects already planned to upgrade key systems of Armenian NPP —with the aim of ensuring its continued efficient operation through 2036” noted Yevgeny Salkov, CEO of Rosatom Service JSC.
For reference:
The Armenian Nuclear Power Plant is a nuclear power plant near the city of Metsamor with two power units based on VVER-440 earthquake-resistant reactors. The first power unit of the power plant was commissioned in December 1976, the second in January 1980. The nuclear power plant was shut down in March 1989 after the Spitak earthquake, but the second power unit was re-commissioned in November 1995. The modernization was completed in 2021 with the help of Rosatom. The service life of the existing NPP unit has been extended until 2026. The Armenian government adopted a resolution on the beginning of the process to extend the operation of the Armenian NPP until 2036. In December 2023, Rosatom Service JSC and AAEK CJSC signed a framework contract to implement a number of measures from the PSR-2 program approved by the Armenian government. The basis for concluding the contract is the decision of the Government of the Republic No. 1597-A of 14 September 2023. The project involves the continued modernization of the safety systems at Armenian NPP to ensure its reliable operation in 2026-2036.
The project to further extend the operating life of Power Unit No. 2 at Armenian NPP began in 2023, when in December a framework agreement was signed between Rosatom Service JSC and the plant operator, AAEK CJSC was signed in December to implement measures of LTE-2 program, which aims to create conditions for the power unit operation until 2036. The goal of the project is to ensure the reliable and safe operation of the unit through a comprehensive modernization and validation of the remaining service life of key systems. As part of the project, a detailed inspection of the equipment is being conducted, the reactor vessel is undergoing restoration annealing, and the safety and automated control systems are being upgraded. All activities are carried out in accordance with regulatory requirements and IAEA international standards to ensure a high level of operational reliability at the plant.
The Electric Power Division of Rosatom State Corporation is the largest producer of low-carbon electric power in Russia. Rosenergoatom Concern JSC, the Division management company, operates 10 functioning nuclear power plants, including the world’s only floating nuclear power plant (FNPP). 34 power units with a total capacity of about 29.8 GW generate about 19 % of electricity in Russia. Division enterprises provide a full range of services for commissioning, repair, maintenance and training of personnel for nuclear power units; they produce isotopes for medicine, agriculture and microelectronics; new areas of activity are actively developing within its framework (development of a network of charging infrastructure for electric vehicles, biogas stations, production of industrial robots, etc.).
Rosatom Service JSC (part of the Electric Power Division of Rosatom State Corporation) provides servicing to energy facilities in various power industries. The company is present in almost every country with operating VVER NPP outside Russia. The geography of Rosatom Service JSC projects covers more than 15 countries around the world, from Europe to Asia. The references of Rosatom Service JSC include comprehensive projects for service life extension, maintenance and repair, supply of equipment and SPTA, nuclear infrastructure, consulting services, and training. Since 2022, the company has been actively developing the areas of renewable energy: small hydropower, biogas reactors, landfill gas. The BOOТ (build-own-operate-trade) model is implemented as a priority. Rosatom Service JSC references in the renewable energy sources sector include the design of a cascade of hydroelectric power plants in Bulgaria, HPP for an isolated power consumer in Kyrgyzstan, and the supply of equipment for the Segozerskaya HPP in Karelia. In the near future, the company is also planning to take the position of a key business participant in the construction of high-capacity bioreactors, implementing the Rosatom State Corporation’s development strategy using “green energy”. As part of the “Robotics” business line, the company offers services for the design and manufacture of robotic systems and other non-standard equipment for nuclear industry enterprises and beyond. www.rosatom-service.ru
Russia is consistently developing international trade and economic relations, focusing on cooperation with friendly countries. The implementation of major international projects in the energy sector is continuing. Rosatom and its enterprises take an active part in this work.
The 5th meeting of the Joint Coordination Committee was held in Yerevan (Republic of Armenia), with representatives from the Republic of Armenia, the Rosatom State Corporation, and its subsidiaries participating to discuss the further extension of Power Unit No. 2 operating life at Armenian NPP. The Russian delegation was led by Kirill Komarov, First Deputy Director General and Director of the Development and International Business Division at Rosatom, while the Armenian delegation was led by Narek Apitonyan, Deputy Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of the Republic of Armenia. The event was also attended by Nikita Konstantinov, Deputy Director General and Director of Business Development at Rosenergoatom; Khachatur Khachikyan, Chairman of the Armenian Nuclear Safety Regulatory Committee; Evgeny Salkov, Head of Rosatom Service JSC; and Movses Vardanyan, First Deputy Director General of AAEC CJSC and Director of the Armenian NPP.
The meeting participants discussed the progress of the project, as well as results of the work carried out in 2024–2026 by Russian and Armenian specialists. It was noted that a number of buildings and structures with a total area of 15,890 square meters were inspected; documents confirming the safe operation of the reactor facility through 2031 were developed and approved; more than 500 items of equipment and materials were delivered; and the safety system—the system for supplying critical consumers—was modernized. A program to monitor the reactor unit metal is also currently underway.
The parties have fully agreed on results of the work completed, as well as on the implementation plan for 2027–2030. A report was signed based on results of the committee meeting.
Rosatom has carried out a significant amount of work to improve the plant safety and reliability including confirming that the reactor can operate safely to 2031. The following year will see a series of projects already planned to upgrade key systems of Armenian NPP —with the aim of ensuring its continued efficient operation through 2036” noted Yevgeny Salkov, CEO of Rosatom Service JSC.
For reference:
The Armenian Nuclear Power Plant is a nuclear power plant near the city of Metsamor with two power units based on VVER-440 earthquake-resistant reactors. The first power unit of the power plant was commissioned in December 1976, the second in January 1980. The nuclear power plant was shut down in March 1989 after the Spitak earthquake, but the second power unit was re-commissioned in November 1995. The modernization was completed in 2021 with the help of Rosatom. The service life of the existing NPP unit has been extended until 2026. The Armenian government adopted a resolution on the beginning of the process to extend the operation of the Armenian NPP until 2036. In December 2023, Rosatom Service JSC and AAEK CJSC signed a framework contract to implement a number of measures from the PSR-2 program approved by the Armenian government. The basis for concluding the contract is the decision of the Government of the Republic No. 1597-A of 14 September 2023. The project involves the continued modernization of the safety systems at Armenian NPP to ensure its reliable operation in 2026-2036.
The project to further extend the operating life of Power Unit No. 2 at Armenian NPP began in 2023, when in December a framework agreement was signed between Rosatom Service JSC and the plant operator, AAEK CJSC was signed in December to implement measures of LTE-2 program, which aims to create conditions for the power unit operation until 2036. The goal of the project is to ensure the reliable and safe operation of the unit through a comprehensive modernization and validation of the remaining service life of key systems. As part of the project, a detailed inspection of the equipment is being conducted, the reactor vessel is undergoing restoration annealing, and the safety and automated control systems are being upgraded. All activities are carried out in accordance with regulatory requirements and IAEA international standards to ensure a high level of operational reliability at the plant.
The Electric Power Division of Rosatom State Corporation is the largest producer of low-carbon electric power in Russia. Rosenergoatom Concern JSC, the Division management company, operates 10 functioning nuclear power plants, including the world’s only floating nuclear power plant (FNPP). 34 power units with a total capacity of about 29.8 GW generate about 19 % of electricity in Russia. Division enterprises provide a full range of services for commissioning, repair, maintenance and training of personnel for nuclear power units; they produce isotopes for medicine, agriculture and microelectronics; new areas of activity are actively developing within its framework (development of a network of charging infrastructure for electric vehicles, biogas stations, production of industrial robots, etc.).
Rosatom Service JSC (part of the Electric Power Division of Rosatom State Corporation) provides servicing to energy facilities in various power industries. The company is present in almost every country with operating VVER NPP outside Russia. The geography of Rosatom Service JSC projects covers more than 15 countries around the world, from Europe to Asia. The references of Rosatom Service JSC include comprehensive projects for service life extension, maintenance and repair, supply of equipment and SPTA, nuclear infrastructure, consulting services, and training. Since 2022, the company has been actively developing the areas of renewable energy: small hydropower, biogas reactors, landfill gas. The BOOТ (build-own-operate-trade) model is implemented as a priority. Rosatom Service JSC references in the renewable energy sources sector include the design of a cascade of hydroelectric power plants in Bulgaria, HPP for an isolated power consumer in Kyrgyzstan, and the supply of equipment for the Segozerskaya HPP in Karelia. In the near future, the company is also planning to take the position of a key business participant in the construction of high-capacity bioreactors, implementing the Rosatom State Corporation’s development strategy using “green energy”. As part of the “Robotics” business line, the company offers services for the design and manufacture of robotic systems and other non-standard equipment for nuclear industry enterprises and beyond. www.rosatom-service.ru
Russia is consistently developing international trade and economic relations, focusing on cooperation with friendly countries. The implementation of major international projects in the energy sector is continuing. Rosatom and its enterprises take an active part in this work.
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