Discussions over the choice of new nuclear capacity in Armenia are ongoing, but the option of small modular reactors is raising many questions within the professional community. This was stated by energy security expert Artur Avetisyan, commenting on political statements suggesting that Armenia may choose the small modular reactor option.
According to the expert, practical experience in operating modular nuclear plants worldwide is limited. At present, only a few countries have such experience: Russia — with a floating nuclear plant — and China, which already operates a small plant and plans to commission a new modular reactor of about 125 MW in the coming years. According to Avetisyan, this project is a small version of a water-water reactor, a technology familiar to Armenian specialists since the operating Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant belongs to the same type.
At the same time, the expert stresses that there is still no officially published decision in Armenia regarding the choice of the modular option. Despite public statements, there is no clear document available to the public, and it remains unclear who the negotiations are with, what they concern, and at what stage they are.
Avetisyan notes that a significant part of the professional community is cautious about the modular option, primarily due to the lack of operational experience. In his assessment, maintaining Armenia’s current energy balance requires a new reactor with a capacity of at least 600 MW, which would ensure the continuity of the energy system. He also reminds that nuclear energy is considered a low-carbon source and plays an important role in the green transition.
According to the expert, several key questions remain unresolved, including how multiple modules would operate together, what operational regime is planned, and what technical risks may arise. Theoretically, the answers could be positive, but, as he puts it, nuclear energy “does not like uncertainty” and requires proven, operational systems.
Avetisyan emphasises that such projects should preferably be implemented only after the technology has been operating for several years in other countries, allowing assessment of problems and their solutions. This is particularly important given Armenia’s specific conditions — altitude, cooling water issues, and other technical safety factors.
The expert also stresses that the discussion should go beyond simply “having a nuclear reactor” and address the broader energy strategy. The development of artificial intelligence, industry, and regional energy projects requires large and stable capacity, including opportunities to export electricity toward Iran and Georgia.
In his view, solar energy can complement the system but cannot provide the stability delivered by traditional baseload capacity. The same applies to energy storage, which remains expensive for now, although technological progress may change this in the future.
In the long term, Avetisyan believes nuclear and thermal power will remain key, and when choosing between them — taking all factors into account — nuclear is the preferable option.