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56-426: HTPP was envisioned as a power plant to serve the entire South Caucasus , including Armenia. Construction began in 1963, and the plant became functional in 1966, with two turbines with a total capacity up to 100 MW. By 1969 two PT-100-130 type turbines of type "T-100-130" of the unit 2 started to operate, increasing heat distribution to 560 kcal/h (650 MW) and overall capacity to up to 300 MW. In 1974,

112-726: A Greek historian who is known as 'the Father of History' and Strabo , a Greek geographer, philosopher, and historian, spoke about autochthonous peoples of the Caucasus in their books. In the Middle Ages, various people, including Scythians , Alani , Huns , Khazars , Arabs , Seljuq Turks , and Mongols settled in Caucasia. These invasions influenced on the culture of the peoples of the South Caucasus. In parallel Middle Eastern influence disseminated

168-755: A magnitude of up to 7. The EU reportedly had classified the VVER 440 Model V230 light-water-cooled reactors as the "oldest and least reliable" category of all the 66 Soviet reactors built in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union . However the IAEA has found that the Metsamor NPP has adequate safety and can function beyond its design lifespan. In December 2008, the Armenian government's progress in meeting international safety standards regarding its use of nuclear energy at

224-403: A new nuclear power plant based on the existing infrastructures and new technologies. However, in his words, it is necessary to determine the amount needed and examine what impact it will have on rates. Robert Kocharyan said that in 2012–2013, active work will be carried out to build a new nuclear power plant and modernize the current one. Armen Movsisyan has also announced that a decision to build

280-468: A new unit at the operating nuclear power plant to replace the one to be decommissioned has been taken. The new unit would support 1,000 MW, which would "not only meet the needs of Armenia and reduce the country's dependence on organic energy [gas, oil, etc.] considerably but will also have certain energy importance in the region." A feasibility study for building a new reactor at the Metsamor nuclear power plant

336-469: Is a balancing station providing energy in the case of deficit or shut down of the Metsamor nuclear facility, which is the primary source of power in Armenia. It closes for two to three months each year for maintenance and refueling, and HTPP steps in to meet consumer needs. The HTPP has also a big role in the export of electricity. South Caucasus The South Caucasus , also known as Transcaucasia or

392-511: Is in the South Caucasus; the majority of present-day Georgia and Azerbaijan , including the exclave of Nakhchivan , also fall within the region. Parts of Iran and Turkey are also included within the region of the South Caucasus. Goods produced in the region include oil , manganese ore , tea , citrus fruits , and wine . It remains one of the most politically tense regions in the post- Soviet area, and contains two heavily disputed areas: Abkhazia and South Ossetia . Between 1878 and 1917,

448-470: Is likely to begin by the end of 2024 or early 2025. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) contributed to the developments and improvements of the plant. Armenia signed a contract with Russia to modernize the plant and extend the lifespan until 2036. As the Metsamor Plant is near Turkey, 16 km from the border, its environmental issues are of great significance for Turkey as well. Moreover,

504-483: Is operated by CJSC HAEK (Closed Joint Stock Company Armenian Atomic Power Plant), according to the ratification of the Republic of Armenia on the usage of nuclear energy. The principal goal of this company has been stated to be the ability to produce safe and cost-efficient energy. The plant lies close to an area prone to earthquakes with magnitudes up to 8. However, the plant was only constructed to resist earthquakes with

560-450: Is underway with the assistance of foreign specialists. This work is expected to be completed within 1–2 years. Another proposed idea would be to have the unit support 1,200 MW. The cost of the project will go upwards from $ 4 billion to 5.2-7.2 billion depending on the power of the plant. Armenian Deputy Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Areg Galstyan said that the construction of the new nuclear power plant may start in 2011. The new NPP

616-651: The 1877-78 Russo-Turkish War , Russia annexed Kars , Ardahan , Agri and Batumi from the Ottomans , joined to this unit, and established the province of Kars Oblast as its most south-westerly territory in the South Caucasus. After the fall of the Russian Empire in 1918, the South Caucasus region was unified into a single political entity twice, as the Transcaucasian Democratic Federative Republic from 9 April 1918 to 26 May 1918, and as

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672-578: The Achaemenid Empire , the Parthian Empire , and the Sassanid Empire , during which Zoroastrianism became the dominant religion in the region. However, after the rise of Christianity and conversion of Caucasian kingdoms to the new religion , Zoroastrianism lost its prevalence and only survived because of Persian power and influence still lingering in the region. Thus, the South Caucasus became

728-675: The Arsacid dynasty of Iberia , and the Arsacid dynasty of Caucasian Albania . In the middle of the 8th century, with the capture of Derbend by the Umayyad armies during the Arab–Khazar wars , most of the South Caucasus became part of the Caliphate and Islam spread throughout the region. Later, the Orthodox Christian Kingdom of Georgia dominated most of the South Caucasus. The region

784-859: The Black Sea in the west to the Caspian Sea coast of Iran in the east. The area includes the southern part of the Greater Caucasus mountain range, the entire Lesser Caucasus mountain range, the Colchis Lowlands , the Kura-Aras Lowlands , Qaradagh , the Talysh Mountains , the Lankaran Lowland , Javakheti and the eastern portion of the Armenian Highland . All of present-day Armenia

840-463: The European Parliament passed a resolution confirming Armenia meets Maastricht Treaty Article 49 requirements and that the country may apply for EU membership. The South Caucasus, in particular where modern-day Turkey , Georgia , Armenia and Iran are located, is one of the native areas of the wine-producing vine Vitis vinifera . Some experts speculate that the South Caucasus may be

896-581: The European Political Community , and participate in the EU's Eastern Partnership and Euronest Parliamentary Assembly . On 8 November 2023, the European Commission issued an official recommendation to grant EU candidate status to Georgia, which was confirmed on 14 December 2023. Georgia, thus becoming, the first country in the South Caucasus to receive EU candidate status. On 12 March 2024,

952-683: The European Union is also concerned with this issue. Previously, there were various proposals to shut down the plant, but as it is of great importance for Armenia, the Armenian government decided that it will continue operating until a new one is built. Hakob Sanasaryan , an Armenian chemist and environmentalist campaigner and head of the Green Union of Armenia, claimed in 1996 that the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant did not meet internationally accepted nuclear safety standards, due to

1008-702: The Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant , (Armenian: Մեծամորի ատոմային էլեկտրակայան) is the only nuclear power plant in the South Caucasus , located 36 kilometers west of Yerevan in Armenia . The ANPP complex consists of two VVER-440 Model V270 nuclear reactors, each capable of generating 407.5 megawatts (MW) of power, for a total of 815 MW. The plant supplied approximately 40 percent of Armenia's electricity in 2015. As with other early VVER-440 plants, and unlike Western pressurized water reactors (PWR),

1064-649: The North Caucasus together comprise the larger Caucasus geographical region that divides Eurasia . The South Caucasus spans the southern portion of the Caucasus Mountains and their lowlands, straddling the border between the continents of Europe and Asia , and extending southwards from the southern part of the Main Caucasian Range of southwestern Russia to the Turkish and Armenian borders, and from

1120-610: The Transcaucasian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic from 12 March 1922 to 5 December 1936. Both times these Transcaucasian entities dissolved, although the region would remain politically bound together in the Soviet Union in the form of the three separate Soviet Socialist Republics of Armenia , Azerbaijan and Georgia . All three regained independence in 1991 when the Soviet Union dissolved . The Russo-Georgian War took place in 2008 across

1176-534: The Transcaucasus , is a geographical region on the border of Eastern Europe and West Asia , straddling the southern Caucasus Mountains . The South Caucasus roughly corresponds to modern Armenia , Georgia , and Azerbaijan , which are sometimes collectively known as the Caucasian States . The total area of these countries measures about 186,100 square kilometres (71,850 square miles). The South Caucasus and

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1232-571: The Treaty of Gulistan that followed after the 1804-1813 war, Iran was forced to cede modern-day Dagestan , Eastern Georgia , and most of the Azerbaijan Republic to Russia. By the Treaty of Turkmenchay that followed after the 1826-1828 war, Iran lost all of what is modern-day Armenia and the remainder of the contemporary Azerbaijani Republic that remained in Iranian hands. After the 1828-1829 war,

1288-668: The ANPP lacks a secondary containment building . The ANPP complex consists of two units. The first unit was activated on 22 December 1976, and the second on 5 January 1980. Following public pressure after the Spitak Earthquake in 1988, the Council of Ministers of the Soviet Union decided to shut down the existing two units. After the fall of the USSR , Armenia had a period of energy scarcity and

1344-515: The Fukushima crisis. A medium power design of about 600 MWe is now the preferred option. By 2023, the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure was weighing the choice of Russian dual 1200MW, 1000/1400MW South Korean, French, or American small modular reactor designs. The Armenian government intends to select a capacity by year-end 2023. Under an agreement with Russia, construction work

1400-508: The HTTP has used natural gas as its primary fuel, relying on oil as a reserve, a reversal of its earlier pattern. A gas distributing station and gas grid carry gas to gas control points throughout the plant. The fifth block's construction was directly connected to the Iran–Armenia gas pipeline construction, which has a vital strategic importance for Armenia. Particularly, according to the agreement,

1456-672: The Iranian languages and Islamic religion in Caucasus. Located on the peripheries of Iran , Russia and Turkey , the region has been an arena for political, military, religious, and cultural rivalries and expansionism for centuries. Throughout its history, the region has come under control of various empires, including the Achaemenid , Neo-Assyrian Empire , Parthian , Roman , Sassanian , Byzantine , Umayyad , Abbassid , Mongol , Ottoman , successive Iranian ( Safavid , Afsharid , Qajar ), and Russian Empires , all of which introduced their faiths and cultures. Throughout history, most of

1512-400: The Metsamor NPP was praised by Council on Nuclear Energy Safety Chairman Adolf Birkhofer, who also praised the overall development of the energy system in the country. In the wake of Japan's 2011 Fukushima nuclear crisis , the combination of design and location of Metsamor was again claimed to make it among the most dangerous nuclear plants in the world. The Metsamor power station is one of

1568-526: The Ottomans ceded Western Georgia (except Adjaria , which was known as Sanjak of Batum), to the Russians, who populated this new southern boundary mostly with undesirable citizens and tolerated heretics ( sektanty ). In 1844, what comprises present-day Georgia , Armenia , and Azerbaijan were combined into a single czarist government-general, which was termed a vice-royalty in 1844-1881 and 1905–1917. Following

1624-552: The RUssian state-owned holding company Rosneftegaz. In May 2011, all shares were bought by Inter RAO UES. In 2015, Inter RAO UES sold the Hrazdan Energy Company to Cyprus-registered Liormand Holdings Limited, a part of Tashir Group owned by Samvel Karapetyan . The deal will become fully in force in 2017. In 1986, the plan of construction of four additional units (units 5–8) with a power generation capacity of 300 MW each

1680-561: The Russian side indicated Moscow's willingness to help Armenia build a new nuclear power plant, in the event that Armenian officials opted to head in that direction. This statement was followed by former President Robert Kocharyan 's speech given to Yerevan State University students on 27 April 2007 during which he said that serious work on the fate of Armenia's atomic energy is underway and practical steps will be taken in this direction in 2008–2009. The president considered it desirable to construct

1736-698: The Russian-controlled province of Kars Oblast and the county of Surmalu uezd (present-day Iğdır Province ) were also incorporated into the South Caucasus. Nowadays, the region is referred to as the South Caucasus or Southern Caucasia ( Armenian : Հարավային Կովկաս , romanized :  Haravayin Kovkas ; Azerbaijani : Cənubi Qafqaz ; Abkhaz : Агырҭ Кавказ , romanized:  Agyrt Kavkaz ; Georgian : სამხრეთ კავკასია , romanized : samkhret k'avk'asia ; Russian : Южный Кавказ , romanized :  Yuzhnyy Kavkaz ). The former name of

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1792-637: The South Caucasus was usually under the direct rule of the various in-Iran based empires and part of the Iranian world . In the course of the 19th century, Qajar Iran had to irrevocably cede the region (alongside its territories in Dagestan , North Caucasus ) as a result of the two Russo-Persian Wars of that century to Imperial Russia. Ancient kingdoms of the region included Colchis , Urartu , Iberia , Armenia and Albania , among others. These kingdoms were later incorporated into various Iranian empires, including

1848-512: The South Caucasus, contributing to further instability in the region, which is as intricate as the Middle East, due to the complex mix of religions (mainly Muslim and Orthodox Christian) and ethno-linguistic groups. Since their independence, the three countries have had varying degrees of success in their relations with Russia and other countries. In Georgia, after the Rose Revolution in 2004,

1904-485: The V-392 reactor equipment for it. In August 2010, an intergovernmental agreement was signed to provide that the Russian party will build at least one VVER-1000 reactor, supply nuclear fuel for it and decommission it. Construction was to commence in 2012 or early 2013 and is expected to cost US$ 5 billion. The customer and owner of new reactors, as well as electricity generated, will be Metzamorenergoatom, and Atomstroyexport will be

1960-484: The aim of excluding any possibility of water loss connected with evaporation, specially devised cooling system is used for cooling condensers in the four blocks. The cooling system, which was developed in Hungary by the firm MVM EGI , has closed water circuit which gives an opportunity to use little natural water. At the time when the coolers were being constructed, aluminum radiators were used as heat exchangers to cool down

2016-532: The area of not only military, but also religious convergence, which often led to bitter conflicts with successive Persian empires (and later Muslim-ruled empires) on the one side and the Roman Empire (and later the Byzantine Empire and Russian Empire ) on the other side. The Iranian Parthians established and installed several eponymous branches in the South Caucasus, namely the Arsacid dynasty of Armenia ,

2072-608: The birthplace of wine production. Archaeological excavations and carbon dating of grape seeds from the area have dated back to 8000–5000 BC. Wine found in Iran has been dated to c.  7400 BC and c.  5000 BC, while wine found in Georgia has been dated to c.  8000 BC. The earliest winery , dated to c.  4000 BC, was found in Armenia. Metsamor NPP The Armenian Nuclear Power Plant ( ANPP ) ( Armenian : Հայկական ատոմային էլեկտրակայան ), also known as

2128-648: The block to have a power of 480 MW. The new technology of production enables the use of 278 gram of gas to produce 1 kWh energy, which reduces the cost of production. The construction was done by Gazprom Armenia. 80% of the electricity in Armenia is produced by four major energy producing companies, the Metsamor NPP , the Hrazdan TPP, the Sevan–Hrazdan Cascade , and the Vorotan Cascade . The HTPP

2184-497: The circulating water which heats up in the condensers. The key part which enables the usage of resources is the placement of the radiators, which are located along the edge of the 120-metre (390 ft) cooling towers. Natural traction brings cooling air to the four towers. Heat loss is minimized by the use of chemically desalinated water in the closed circuit of cooling, which enables the usage of mixing condensers instead of surface condensers. This also reduces maintenance. Since 1993,

2240-462: The country, like the Baltic states , began integrating into wider European society by opening up relations with NATO and the European Union . Armenia continues to foster relations with Russia , while also developing ties with the EU . Azerbaijan relies less on Russia, strategically partnering with Turkey and other NATO states. All three South Caucasus countries are members of the Council of Europe ,

2296-504: The end of 2004, it produced 143 TWh electricity, but 12.3 Gcal/h energy in the form of heat. In 2003, the HTPP was passed to Russian Federation to pay off the Armenian debt which was approximately US$ 31 million. The shares of the Hrazdan Energy Company went to the Federal Agency for State Property Management of Russia. In July 2009, all stocks minus one share were acquired by

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2352-488: The energy produced in Hrazdan Thermal Power Plant's 5th energy block is exported to Iranian energy system and serves as a means of paying for natural gas imported from Iran. Total of $ 465.2 million were spent for the construction and modernization of fifth energy block. For the construction of Hrazdan-5 different types of turbines were used, which work with steam and gas. The use of this technology enables

2408-490: The few remaining nuclear reactors of its kind that were built without primary containment structures. Armenian authorities and nuclear experts have also dismissed the possibility of a repeat of Fukushima, citing numerous safety upgrades the plant has received since one of its reactors was restored into operation in 1995. In October 2015 a life extension of unit 2 was agreed, to take place in 2017 and 2018, permitting it to operate until 2027. The work will include modernization of

2464-426: The first block was combined with a second in close proximity, which had a capacity of 810 MW in four condensing power-generating units. The new Hrazdan State Regional Power Plant (SRPP) became, with 1110 MW total power, the most powerful power plant of Armenia of those times. During its peak in the 1980s, the HTPP generated 6.85 TWh annually, with 7,300 hours (83%) clocked at total capacity. Between 1963 and

2520-465: The government approved the establishment of JV Metzamorenergoatom, a 50-50 Russian-Armenian joint stock company set up by the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources with Atomstroyexport, with shares offered to other investors. This will build a 1060 MWe AES-92 unit (with a VVER-1000 model V-392 reactor) with a service life of 60 years at Metsamor. In March 2010 an agreement was signed with Rosatom to provide

2576-500: The government decided to reopen the plant. Ahead of the reopening, the Armenian government invited leading international companies to discuss and recommend solutions for potential earthquakes. After lengthy discussions, they developed a solution and subsequently unit 2 restarted on 5 November 1995, six years after being shut down. This resulted in vast increases in the Armenian power supply, allowing power to be used day and night. ANPP

2632-509: The junction of the Hrazdan River and Marmarik River , the power plant was built to accommodate inconstant and severe climate conditions. Five oil and gas boilers are used to power four co-generation turbines, two of model PT-50-130/7 and two of model T-100-130. T-100-130 turbines have a capacity twice as big as of model PT-50-130/7, 100 MW of capacity. The plant boasts five evaporative cooling towers and six feed pumps. The block part of

2688-420: The lack of a containment vessel. On 16 July 2020, during the border clashes with Armenia , Vagif Dargahli, spokesperson of Azerbaijan's Ministry of Defense, threatened to strike the Metsamor NPP. He stated: "The Armenian side should keep in mind that our armed forces have advanced missile systems in service, capable of conducting high-precision strikes on the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant, which may result in

2744-434: The power plant consists of four power generator units, model TFM-104C gas and oil boilers with capacity of 670 t/h. TDC-250000/220 transformers connect two turbo-generators (TGV-200-2MUZ (Block No. 1) and TGV-200M (Blocks No. 2, 3, 4)) of 15.75 kV of voltage to 220 kV voltage circuit. The overall capacity is 810 MW. The HTPP is considered as one of the most environmentally friendly non-nuclear TPPs in Armenia. In

2800-425: The principal contractor. Armenia undertakes to buy all electricity produced at commercial rates, enabling investors' return on capital, for 20 years. Metzamorenergoatom is to fund not less than 40% of the construction, and early in 2012, Russia agreed to finance 50%. The latest date for commissioning is 2019–20. As of 2015, construction of a new nuclear unit was still being considered, though plans were delayed due to

2856-489: The region, Transcaucasia, is a Latin rendering of the Russian-language word Zakavkazye ( Закавказье ), meaning "[the area] beyond the Caucasus". This implies a Russian vantage point, and is analogous to similar terms such as Transnistria and Transleithania . Other, rarer forms of this word include Trans-Caucasus and Transcaucasus ( Russian : Транскавказ , romanized :  Transkavkaz ). Herodotus ,

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2912-479: The shutdown could cost up to $ 280 million. In February 2009, the government announced a tender for a new 1000 MWe unit. In May 2009, Australian company Worley Parsons was chosen to administer the project, and a $ 460 million management contract was signed in June. Legislation providing for the construction of up to 1200 MWe of new nuclear capacity at Metsamor from one or more reactors was passed in June 2009. In December 2009,

2968-541: The turbine hall equipment enabling unit 2's power output to increase by 15-18%. In August 2021 the reactor pressure vessels underwent thermal annealing procedure by Rosatom with the goal to extend its service life until 2026, possibly followed by another 10-year extension. The capacity was boosted to 440 MW in a $ 40 million deal. On 23 April 2007 Director Sergei Kiriyenko of Russia's Federal Agency for Atomic Energy (Rosatom) met with Armenia's Energy Minister Armen Movsisyan and Ecology Minister, Vardan Ayvazyan , where

3024-511: Was announced. Construction started in 1987, however, due to the dissolution of the Soviet Union the construction works were halted. In 2006, the assets of the incomplete unit 5 was sold to Armrosgazprom (now: Gazprom Armenia). The unit 5 as an independent power plant started operating in a pilot mode in January 2012, and since December 2013, it is in the commercial operation. Located 1,715–1,730 metres (5,627–5,676 ft) above sea level close to

3080-426: Was expected to be commissioned in 2017. The United States has backed plans for a new Armenian Nuclear Plant and has pledged to help the Armenian government conduct feasibility studies needed for the implementation of the multimillion-dollar project. On 29 November 2007, the Armenian government approved a plan to shut down the nuclear power plant, but gave no specific date. According to Energy Minister Armen Movsisyan,

3136-651: Was then conquered by the Seljuk , Mongol , Turkic , Safavid , Ottoman , Afsharid and Qajar dynasties. After two wars in the first half of the 19th century, namely the Russo-Persian War (1804-1813) and the Russo-Persian War (1826-1828) , the Russian Empire conquered most of the South Caucasus (and Dagestan in the North Caucasus ) from the Iranian Qajar dynasty , severing historic regional ties with Iran. By

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