The Armenian authorities have made a principled decision regarding the format of the country’s future nuclear power plant: the new facility will be modular in nature. However, the specific reactor model and the partner country for its construction have not yet been determined. This was stated by Armenia’s Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, Davit Khudatyan, who emphasized that the final decision will be made after a comprehensive review of international proposals and consultations with relevant expert bodies.

According to the minister, the plan involves so-called small modular reactors, which are considered more flexible in terms of construction, operation, and scalability compared to traditional large nuclear power units. The Armenian side does not intend to rush the choice of technology, as such reactors have not yet seen widespread industrial deployment and require additional expert assessment in terms of safety and economic viability.

According to economic and industry sources, Armenia is reviewing proposals from several countries, including Russia, the United States, France, South Korea, and China. After selecting a reactor model, the government plans to proceed with negotiations on the project’s financing structure and the format of foreign participation, including possible public–private partnership mechanisms.

The decision to build a new nuclear power plant is directly linked to the future of the existing Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant, which remains a key element of Armenia’s energy system. Its operation has previously been extended, while parallel technical modernization works are underway to ensure a stable energy supply until the new facility comes online. The authorities stress that without nuclear generation, Armenia would find it difficult to maintain energy independence and competitive electricity tariffs in the long term.

Thus, Yerevan has moved from discussion to shaping a clear concept for the future of its nuclear energy sector, placing its bet on modular technologies while retaining room for maneuver in choosing a specific solution and an international partner.

#ARMENIA

03.02.2026 05:53