YEREVAN, OCTOBER 24, NOYAN TAPAN. Cooperation in the energy sector is important from the economic point of view both for Russia and Armenia. Abel Aghanbegian, economist, Academician of the RF Academy of Sciences expressed this opinion at the round table "The Economies of Armenia and Russia Today and Tomorrow". He said that having much surplus of electricity, Armenia can become a regional leader in the power industry. Georgia, Turkey, Iran and Iraq are short of electricity so Armenia can sell power in large amounts and at profitable prices to these countries, including also power from the operation of the new nuclear power plant and the new efficient steam-and-gas units at Yerevan Thermal Power Plant, as well as the use of gas supply in two directions. Besides, Armenia has so far untapped great opportunities of its water resources and small hydropower plants. A. Aghanbegian noted that for construction of the new nuclear power unit, Armenia may use installations of Russian production which are one of the best in the world. For that reason China intends to start mass construction of nuclear power plants with Russian installations with a capacity of 800 megawatts, and the respective agreement has been signed with Russia. In the words of A. Aghanbegian, a cost-beneficial nuclear power unit should have a capacity of at least 800 megawatts.

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