16:00, 11 July 2009

WorleyParsons to manage construction of a new NPP in Armenia

Armenia has signed a contract with the international consortium WorleyParsons to the sum of 500 million US dollars on organizing and managing the construction of a new nuclear power unit. The contract will be implemented in four stages, as reported by Armen Movsisyan, Minister of Energy of Armenia.

According to the Minister, the first two stages will be launched this year. According to the schedule fixed in the Terms of Reference, the company should make the design of the whole plant. In particular, it should define its components and make the feasibility study. These stages over, a tender will be announced on funding the construction of the new NPP.

The construction will start in late 2010 or early 2011. Under the government's preliminary estimates, the new nuclear power unit will cost five billion US dollars.

In the opinion of Aram Sarkisyan, leader of the Democratic Party of Armenia, the future vector of the country's political orientation will in much depend on the country, which will finance the NPP construction.

Author: Lylyt Ovanisyan

Source: CK correspondent