The maximum operating period of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant is until 2036 and is not determined by the government of Armenia, Azerbaijan, or any other country because it concerns the maximum physically permissible operating period of the facility, Civil Contract faction MP Arman Yeghoyan has said.
He made the remarks in response to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s comments about the need to shut down the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant.
Aliyev also said Armenia could face an energy crisis after the nuclear power plant closed and that Azerbaijan could provide assistance in that event.
“2036 is the maximum operating period of our nuclear power plant, and we have already announced that we are considering building a new nuclear power plant and are holding negotiations with several international partners,” Yeghoyan said, recalling that a provision concerning the nuclear power plant was also included in the Armenia-European Union agreement signed in 2017.
Citing Aliyev’s statements that Azerbaijani experts had visited Armenia, examined the area and identified suitable locations for supplying energy from Azerbaijan and installing electricity pylons, a journalist asked whether there was an internal agreement under which Armenia would receive electricity or gas from Azerbaijan.
Yeghoyan replied: “As for importing energy resources in general or importing and exporting energy, the more open routes there are and the more opportunities there are to import and export energy and energy resources from different sources, the more beneficial it is for Armenia. But this has absolutely nothing to do with the nuclear power plant issue.”
When asked about discussions concerning the purchase of gas or electricity from Azerbaijan, Yeghoyan first asked that the subject not be linked in any way to the nuclear power plant issue. He then added that imports of gas and oil, as well as electricity exports, should not be ruled out.
“That energy exchange – I mean trade, sales and purchases – like all other goods and services, of course, should not be excluded from bilateral trade,” he said.
Aliyev said Azerbaijan had a completed project for constructing power transmission lines from Azerbaijan to Nakhichevan through Armenian territory. “Our specialists have conducted an analysis on Armenian territory, and even the locations where electricity pylons should be installed have been determined. I hope the Armenian side will not delay this issue. They may need this first and foremost because their main source of energy is the nuclear power plant, whose management is not in their hands. Moreover, that nuclear power plant is outdated and poses a threat to the entire region. Azerbaijan and Turkey have repeatedly expressed concern over this issue on various international platforms.” (Pan.am)