As reported by the RFE/RL's Armenian Service, a delegation of Armenian officials is planning to visit the United States soon to investigate the feasibility of constructing a new nuclear power station in Armenia. This project would aim to replace the currently operational and outdated Metsamor plant.

The existing reactor at the Metsamor nuclear power plant has been providing approximately 40 percent of Armenia's electricity since its commissioning in 1980. However, it is scheduled to be decommissioned in 2036. In April 2022, the Armenian government announced its intention to construct a new nuclear power plant by that time to replace the aging reactor at Metsamor.

Following the announcement of Armenia’s plans to build a new nuclear power plant, the chief executive of Rosatom, Russia’s state nuclear company, which has been involved in the modernization of the 420-megawatt reactor at the Metsamor, visited Yerevan twice to discuss the project with PM Nikol Pashinyan. 

In May 2022, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan signed a memorandum of understanding on “strategic nuclear cooperation” between their respective countries.

“Deepening our cooperation in civil nuclear energy, science, and technology will strengthen our strategic bilateral relationship and have wide-ranging, positive impacts on how we work together," the press release of the US State Department outlines. 

Maria Longi, a State Department official responsible for coordinating US assistance to Europe and Eurasia, has told recently a congressional hearing in Washington: “In a number of countries, including Armenia, we are assessing the feasibility of small modular nuclear reactors built with US technology that could facilitate greater energy independence from both Russia and China.” 

The Armenian PM Pashinyan elaborated on the matter, stating that the government plans to develop the country’s nuclear capacities.

“Unfortunately, there is a deadline, after which the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant cannot be exploited. Now we are actively negotiating with several partners on building a new power plant,” he said, adding that such talks are being carried out with Russia, the United States, and third countries. “We are currently evaluating and comparing the economic benefits of each option. Our energy experts are analyzing which capacity we need more,” he added. 

Afterward, Pashinyan confirmed that an Armenian delegation would soon visit the US to closely examine the small modular reactors developed by local companies. He indicated that these reactors could potentially be more cost-effective and technologically feasible for Armenia compared to conventional nuclear facilities built by Russia.