The operation period of the ANPP is not determined by the Armenian or Azerbaijani governments: Yeghoyan

The operation periods of the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant (ANPP) are determined not by any individual or government, but by known maximum permissible periods. This was stated today, August 12, during a conversation with reporters in the National Assembly by Arman Yeghoyan, a member of the ruling Civil Contract party, while addressing the latest statements made by the Azerbaijani president.

“There is an operational period. It is not determined by the Armenian government, let alone the Azerbaijani government, nor by any other government, since we are talking about the physically maximum allowable operational period. That is 2036. No matter what anyone says. By the same logic, if Aliyev says smoking is harmful to health, should everyone start smoking to contradict Aliyev? That remark has not been made by Aliyev. This period is set by documents, and we have already announced our intention to build a new nuclear power plant and are in negotiations with foreign partners. There is also a provision regarding the ANPP in the document signed with the EU in 2017, meaning that the period is not determined by the document, but the known end date of operation is reflected in the document. The ANPP should be replaced with a plant of equivalent capacity,” Yeghoyan stated.

Regarding the supply of energy resources, he noted that the more diversified the process is, with more sources of supply, the better, adding that this is not related to the ANPP issue. The import of gas and oil, as well as the export of electricity—the energy exchanges—are beneficial, he recorded.