Armenian Nuclear Power Plant Produced 1st Electric Energy After a Suspension

The Armenian nuclear power plant has produced the first electric energy after a suspension.

As the Armenian Minister of Energy, Armen Movsisyan, said, the Metsamor nuclear power plant has resumed the production of electric energy as planned.

According to the minister, the Armenian nuclear power plant has resumed its work without refueling. Thus, the amount of nuclear fuel in it will be enough for about another two months. Then the plant will be stopped for repairs, for measures aimed at raising its safety and for refueling.

In spring, when hydroelectric stations will start working, and the need in electricity will go down, the nuclear power plant will be stopped for 65 days.

The problems of fuel deliveries and the debt of the nuclear power plant to Russia have been resolved. The debt will be restructured and the fuel will be brought to the republic before putting the plant into operation. This year, the connecting of the nuclear power plant to the unified energy system of the Commonwealth of Independent States acquires an especial importance because of a very cold winter and the substantial reduction of gas supplies to the republic.

The Armenian nuclear power plant was stopped on October 19th, 2002 for repairs, preventive maintenance and refueling.

The problem is connected with payments for the nuclear fuel deliveries to the plant from Russia. The debt for these deliveries has already reached 30 million dollars.