Energy News  
US backs building of new nuclear power plant in Armenia: official

by Staff Writers
Yerevan (AFP) Nov 21, 2007
The United States is backing Armenian plans to build a new atomic power station by 2016 to replace a Soviet-era nuclear plant that has raised safety concerns, a US diplomat said Wednesday.

"The US government supports the building of a new plant not only to improve your energy security, but also because of continuing concerns regarding the safety of the existing nuclear plant in Armenia," US charge d'affaires to Armenia Joseph Pennington told reporters.

Pennington on Wednesday signed an agreement with Energy Minister Armen Movsisian to conduct joint studies on the feasibility and environmental impact of building a new nuclear power plant in Armenia.

He said the studies could eventually be used to convince foreign investors to help finance a new plant, which Armenia has pledged to build by 2016.

Armenia relies on the Soviet-built Metzamor plant, 30 kilometres (18 miles) west of the capital Yerevan, for 40 percent of its electricity needs.

The European Union has pleaded with Armenia to close the aging plant, which is in an area prone to earthquakes, and in 2004 offered to provide 100 million euros (148 million dollars) in compensatory aid.

But Armenian officials say their landlocked and resource-poor country cannot afford to do without the plant, which also provides electricity for export to neighbouring Iran.

The nuclear plant's two reactors were shut down temporarily in 1988 because of a major earthquake, but resumed operating in 1995 to help stave off a national energy crisis.

Community
Email This Article
Comment On This Article

Related Links
Civil Nuclear Energy Science, Technology and News
Powering The World in the 21st Century at Energy-Daily.com



Memory Foam Mattress Review
Newsletters :: SpaceDaily :: SpaceWar :: TerraDaily :: Energy Daily
XML Feeds :: Space News :: Earth News :: War News :: Solar Energy News


SE Asian leaders back nuclear energy
Singapore (AFP) Nov 20, 2007
Southeast Asian leaders offered their backing Tuesday for the use of nuclear energy despite concerns over safety in a region prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.







  • China a big, but not only, contributor to record oil prices: analysts
  • Analysis: Billions pumped into Niger Delta
  • Britain to build world's biggest biomass plant
  • The Power Of Multiples: Connecting Wind Farms Can Make A More Reliable - And Cheaper - Power Source

  • US backs building of new nuclear power plant in Armenia: official
  • India, IAEA launch consultations over nuclear safeguards
  • SE Asian leaders back nuclear energy
  • Turkish president approves bill on planned nuclear plants

  • A Breathable Earth
  • Researchers Find Origin Of Breathable Atmosphere Half A Billion Years Ago
  • Study Reveals Lakes A Major Source Of Prehistoric Methane
  • Giant Atmospheric Waves Over Iowa

  • Follow the money trail in illegal logging crimes: Indonesian activists
  • Vanishing forests a counterpoint to Indonesia's climate crusade
  • Finnish paper mill to open in Uruguay despite Argentina's protests
  • Greenpeace urges Indonesia to stop burning forest

  • Noah's Flood Kick-Started European Farming
  • Greenpeace slams 'unsustainable' new tuna quota
  • FAO report urges paying poor farmers to be green
  • 3 million Italians sign anti-GM petition

  • Honda Debuts All-New FCX Clarity Advanced Fuel Cell Vehicle
  • 300 Miles Per Gallon! Aptera Motors Unveils Ultra Efficient All-Electric and Plug-In Hybrid
  • Schwarzenegger showcases 'green' cars at Los Angeles show
  • Go With The Flow

  • Time Magazine Recognizes The X-48B
  • Virgin to offer carbon offsets alongside drinks and perfume
  • NASA sorry over air safety uproar
  • Airbus superjumbo makes first commercial flight

  • Nuclear Power In Space - Part 2
  • Outside View: Nuclear future in space
  • Nuclear Power In Space
  • Could NASA Get To Pluto Faster? Space Expert Says Yes - By Thinking Nuclear

  • The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2007 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement