Armenia to extend nuclear plant lifespan, eyes modular future

(Horizon Weekly / YEREVAN) — Armenia is set to launch a major initiative to extend the operational life of the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant by an additional decade, Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure David Khudatyan announced during a recent National Assembly committee session.

While the current modernization program aims to keep the plant running through 2026, Khudatyan confirmed that a second phase is slated to begin within days. To support this extension, the Armenian government has allocated a budget loan of 63.2 billion drams (approximately $160 million USD) to ensure the facility’s continued safety and productivity.

Looking beyond the current plant’s lifespan, the government is intensifying efforts to modernize Armenia’s energy infrastructure. Minister Khudatyan revealed that the state has officially opted for Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology for its future nuclear power unit.

The selection of a specific SMR model is expected to be finalized by late 2026 or early 2027. This follows previous statements by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who noted that Armenia is currently in active negotiations with several global partners to realize this project, including the United States, France, China, Russia and South Korea.

The move toward modular reactors signals a strategic shift for Armenia, as it seeks a more flexible and modern energy grid while maintaining its energy independence.