The tragic events at NPP "Fukushima-1" in Japan cannot lead to a refusal of Armenia from the project of building new nuclear power in Armenian NPP, declared Armen Movsisyan, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources. "So far, Armenia has no alternative of a new nuclear power station" – said the minister. He noted that it is possible to build power plants both on gas and coal, but it will lead to significant rise of the cost of electricity production. "We do not have electricity shortage today, and our priority is the production of maximally cheap electricity.Energy supplies at the lowest prices are considered to be our energy security "- said Movsisyan. According to him, the events in Japan are unlikely to make any substantial changes in the project of construction of new nuclear power in Armenia.Construction, as before, is scheduled to begin in the second half of 2012 - 2013. The Minister gave hope that by 2017 the new nuclear power unit will be built. He added that the cost of the project also will not change and will keep within the limits originally pledged $ 4-5 billion, as originally the highest seismic requirements were laid. "I do not think that the events in Japan will lead to a serious rise in the costs of the project in Armenia, because originally we put it on the seismic resistance of 9 points, “-said the minister. The construction of new nuclear power capacity of more than 1000 MW is expected to begin next year and is designed for 4-5 years. Joint Russian-Armenian venture “Metsamorenergoatom " will finance 40% of the cost of the work: both sides will give 20%. As for the remaining funds, the investors should make it from outside, primarily, of course, from abroad.

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