Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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October 9, 2025 Economic development
On Thursday, the IAEA concluded a ten-day mission assessing the readiness of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant (ANPP) for the safe long-term operation of its second power unit. The NPP, built in the 1970s and consisting of two power units, is located 26 kilometers from Yerevan.
The mission was a continuation of inspections conducted in 2018 and 2021. The second power unit of the ANPP, a pressurized water reactor, was put into commercial operation in 1980. The first power unit was shut down in 1989 following an earthquake in the northern regions of Armenia.
In 2021, the Armenian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (ANRA) extended the operating life of Unit 2 until September 2026. The plant is currently requesting permission to extend its operation for another ten years, until 2036.
The mission included IAEA staff, specialists from Argentina, the Netherlands, Romania, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United States, as well as observers from Hungary and the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO). The experts conducted several site walks and held consultations with staff.
According to IAEA mission leader Bryce Lehman, "the plant has clearly made progress compared to what we observed during previous missions and has done much to address previously identified deficiencies." He noted that many ageing management and lifetime extension measures comply with IAEA safety standards.
"The plant has clearly made progress since the previous missions," said Bryce Lehman, noting that many plant management activities comply with IAEA safety standards. He called on the ANPP management to continue implementing the "remaining activities" and "take into account the findings of the inspection."
The team noted the successes of the ANPP, which can be scaled up in the global nuclear industry, and provided recommendations for further improving safety.
The station's chief engineer, Artur Grigoryan, emphasized the importance of the mission: "The IAEA team's experience and expertise will help us identify areas for improvement." He also noted that the inspection will help "bring our operations even closer to international safety standards."
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