Armavir hosts public hearings on construction of nuke plant new unitMay 17, 2011 - 16:07 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Armavir province of Armenia hosted the second state of public hearings on construction of a new energy unit of the Armenian nuclear power plant (NPP) with participation of representatives of ecological organizations. “As per the Armenian legislation and international conventions on nuclear energy, we held the first stage of discussions in August 2010,” Armenian Deputy Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Areg Galstyan told journalists on May 17. The final version of Environmental Impact Assessment was submitted for expertise to the RA Ministry of Nature Protection in March 2011. Besides, the second stage of public hearings is held. Galstyan added that a detailed discussion will be organized in Gyumri next week. With a projected capacity of 1,000-1,200 megawatts, the new nuclear plant would be more than twice as powerful as Metsamor's sole operating reactor that generates more than 40 percent of Armenia's electricity. The Soviet-built reactor is due to be decommissioned in 2017. According to preliminary estimates, the new atomic block will cost approximately $5 billion. A more precise figure will emerge after the completion of design works. Top stories Yerevan has dismissed Turkey’s demand to shut down the Armenian nuclear power plant as “inappropriate”. Armenia will loan 2.9 billion drams to Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh), according to a draft government decision. The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan has “strongly condemned” Armenia’s decision. Kerobyan has said that for the first time in the history of Armenia, the volume of foreign direct investments amounted to about $1 billion. Partner news | Russia sends note of protest to Armenia over envoy’s trip to Ukraine’s Bucha Russia has sent a note of protest to Armenia over the visit of Vladimir Karapetyan and Tigran Ter-Margaryan to Bucha. Armenia: Protesters march to parliament, some spend the night on street The protesters did not disperse despite heavy rain that began at around 2 a.m. local time. Concept to complete Yerevan Cascade discussed at city hall A conceptual proposal to complete the Cascade complex in downtown Yerevan has been presented by Jean-Michel Wilmotte. Pashinyan visits flood-hit region Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Saturday, June 8 visited the disaster area in the Lori province. |