Armenia will receive €5 million in financial assistance from the European Union (EU) to enhance nuclear safety and radiation protection systems at the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant (ANPP). The agreement, approved by the Armenian government and set to be signed with the European Commission, underscores Armenia’s ongoing commitment to meeting international safety standards and advancing its energy security through strategic cooperation with the EU.
The document, titled “Strengthening Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection in Armenia,” will formalize collaboration between Armenia and the European Commission. Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Davit Khudatyan said the agreement builds on previous joint efforts aimed at improving the country’s nuclear infrastructure.
Khudatyan noted that the agreement continues a 2024 initiative under which Armenia received €12.9 million in EU funding to purchase diesel generators for the ANPP. These generators are designed to maintain power supply continuity in the event of an emergency or system failure.
The new assistance aims to complete outstanding measures from Armenia’s national action plan on nuclear stress tests—part of a broader program to enhance the safety of the ANPP in line with international standards. These efforts incorporate lessons learned from Japan’s Fukushima disaster, addressing risks such as hydrogen buildup and beyond-design-basis accidents.
Part of the new €5 million funding will be used to acquire specialized equipment for hydrogen combustion at the ANPP, strengthening the plant’s ability to manage accident-related hydrogen risks. The Nuclear Safety Regulatory Committee of Armenia will also work with European experts to analyze safety rationalization documents, ensuring all mitigation measures meet the highest international standards.
The funding will further bolster Armenia’s Nuclear Safety Regulatory Committee and the Scientific and Technical Center for Nuclear and Radiation Safety. By enhancing their technical capacity, the support will ensure a comprehensive review of the ANPP’s periodic safety report, evaluate compliance with safety requirements, and advance the country’s overall nuclear safety culture.
Located near the town of Metsamor, approximately 30 kilometers west of Yerevan, the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant is the only facility of its kind in the South Caucasus and provides up to 40 percent of Armenia’s electricity. Its service life has been extended until 2026, with ongoing work to extend operations for another decade.
Armenia has also been expanding its nuclear sector to meet future energy demands. On August 1, 2024, the government established a closed joint-stock company to oversee the construction of a new nuclear power unit. Officials have indicated that the project is expected to take eight to ten years to complete, with Armenia studying the experience of partners from the United States, Russia, and South Korea.
The Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure confirmed that a U.S. company is conducting a feasibility study for a small modular nuclear power plant in Armenia. Meanwhile, Russian state corporation Rosatom has expressed interest in offering Armenia nuclear reactors with capacities ranging from 50 to 1,000 megawatts.
