There is a vital need for personnel rejuvenating in the nuclear field. Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan stated at the October 27 meeting of the Atomic Energy Security Council.

Before the sitting, Sargsyan received the newly appointed President of the Atomic Energy Security Council (NPC), the Senior Advisor to the International Atomic Energy Agency and the World Association of Nuclear Operators, Miroslav Lipar, who arrived in Armenia to participate in the 15th session of the Nuclear Security Council under the Armenian President.

The President and the NESC President touched upon the program works on raising the level of safety of the Armenian NPP, the measures envisaged by the program for the extension of the second unit of the nuclear power plant, as well as the work needed to improve the Armenian NPP staff's readiness.

After the meeting, President Sargsyan participated in the session of the Atomic Energy Security Council.

The president introduced the newly appointed chairman of the council Miroslav Lipar, who has held responsible positions in many nuclear-powered structures since 2001.

In his speech, Sargsyan noted that the maintenance and development of the atomic energy continues to remain a strategic direction for Armenia, according to "Long-Term Development of the Energy System of the Republic of Armenia (Up to 2036)" approved by the Government of the Republic of Armenia in December. The President stressed that the existence of the NPP in the framework of the base electricity generation will allow Armenia to maintain the required level of energy security.

"The project envisages extending the operation of the existing unit by 2027, and subsequently implementing step-by-step introduction of new nuclear blocks.

In order to implement the project for the extension of the NPP Second Generation Unit Operation Term, Armenia and Russia have signed an Export Loan Agreement for the Government of Armenia and Grant Agreements for Project Financing.

Within the framework of the Second Generation Term Expansion Project, the design and operational safety enhancement activities as well as its modernization are being implemented. In 2017 the first stage of the extension of the operational life cycle, including the instrumental examination of the equipment of the power unit, has been practically completed, "Sargsyan said.

The President has informed that it is planned to create a radioactive waste and national operator of nuclear fuel management on the basis of "Radioactive Waste Disposal" CJSC.

According to the President, Armenia continues to implement the IAEA mission's advice and recommendations on regulatory issues.

Speaking about the implementation of programs aimed at ensuring the safe operation of the NPP, Serzh Sargsyan stressed the necessity of full-scale modernization of the trainer, which was also touched upon at the previous session. "The work of the first phase of the project was completed in January of this year. At present, documents are being prepared to announce a tender competition for the second phase.

We attach a priority to the personnel policy in the atomic industry. There is a vital need for staff recruitment and involvement of youth in the course of preserving, of course, heredity. For this reason, training of specialists is a crucial issue, the solution of which will contribute to the preservation of existing infrastructures in the country, "the President said.

The material is copyrighted and protected by law