closed joint stock company (cjsc) “metsamor energo atom ... · description – environment and...

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Closed Joint Stock Company (CJSC) “Metsamor Energo Atom”

Notification

Construction of Armenia New Nuclear Unit

August 2010

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Notification 3

2. Description – Environment and Technology 7 2.1 Environmental Description 7 2.2 Description of Technical and Technological Solutions for New

Nuclear Unit 8 2.2.1 Reactor Plant Details 8 2.2.2 Steam Plant Details 9 2.2.3 Cooling System Description 9 2.2.4 Water Availability 10

2.3 Transmission System Description 10

3. Description – Basic Data on Impact of the Armenia N ew Nuclear Unit 15 3.1 Impacts due to Construction of the Armenia New Nuclear Unit 15 3.2 Impacts due to Operation of the Armenia New Nuclear Unit 16 3.3 Impacts of Postulated Accidents Involving Radioactive

Materials 17

4. References 18

Attachment A: Letter from Armavir Marzpet 19

Attachment B: Armenia NNU Construction Site 20

Attachment C: Environmental Scoping Report 21

List of Figures

Figure 1. Map of Republic of Armenia 11

Figure 2. Photo from Cultural Vantage Point – Metsa mor Town Church 14

List of Tables

Table 1. Licenses and Permits Required for Armenia New Nuclear Unit 5

Table 2. Legend for Armenia New Nuclear Unit Constr uction Layout 12

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1. NOTIFICATION

Closed Joint Stock Company “Metsamor Energo Atom” intends to construct a new nuclear power plant unit on the Armenia Nuclear Power Plant Site near Metsamor Town, Armavir Marz.

In accordance with the Republic of Armenia Law on Environmental Impact Expertise (hereafter the Law on EIE) [1], Article 4, nuclear power plants and other facilities with nuclear reactors are subject to environmental impact expertise.

Accordingly, in accordance with Article 6 of the Law on EIE, CJSC “Metsamor Energo Atom” hereby notifies the Republic of Armenia Ministry of Nature Protection of the intent to construct a new nuclear unit in Armenia.

In accordance with Article 6, paragraph 2, of the Law on EIE, the following information is provided:

a) Basic information :

Title : Construction of the Armenia New Nuclear Unit

Location : Armenia Nuclear Power Plant Site near Metsamor Town, Armavir Marz, Republic of Armenia

Aim of intended activity : Develop new resource for generation of electrical energy for the Armenia power sector to replace generation capacity that will be lost upon permanent shutdown of the existing Armenia Nuclear Power Plant Unit 2 and to meet expected growth in demands for electricity

Description : The Armenia New Nuclear Unit will use the Russian model AES-92 pressurized water reactor based on the proven VVER-1000 designs with added safety features to produce 3,000 MW of thermal power. Steam generated from this energy in a second circuit will drive a steam turbine and generator set producing a rated 1060 MW of electrical energy.

Section 2.2 “Description – Environment and Technology” of this document provides additional description and specific features of the Armenia New Nuclear Unit.

Starting and finishing dates : 2011 (tendering and initial site preparation) to 2076 (permanent shutdown based on 60 year lifetime, not including decommissioning).

b) The land plot necessary for the intended activity : The Armenia New Nuclear Unit will require approximately 74 hectare of land, all of which is contained within the existing Armenia Nuclear Power Plant site owned by the Government of Armenia with land use in the category for energy production.

c) Description of technical and technological solution s: The section 2.2 “Description of Technical and Technological Solutions for the New Nuclear Unit” and section 2.3 “Transmission System Description” provide information on the technical and technological solutions.

Notification. continued...

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d) Basic data on the impact of the intended activity : The section 3 “Description – Basic Data on Impact of the Armenia New Nuclear Unit” of this document provides basic data on impacts of the Armenia New Nuclear Unit.

e) Decision of the affected community on compliance wi th development plans : See Attachment A, Letter dated 16 March, 2010 from Armavir Marzpet.

f) Decision of the affected community on allocation of land : The Armenia New Nuclear Unit will be contained within the existing Armenia Nuclear Power Plant site which is owned by the Government of Armenia and no additional allocation of land is necessary.

g) Opinion of the relevant state body : The intended activity is consistent with the energy strategy of the Republic of Armenia Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, as reflected in:

GoA Resolution № 1296, dated 1 November 2007, On Action Plan of the Ministry of Energy developed based on provisions of the RoA National Security Strategy (07.02.07) [2]; and

Republic of Armenia Law on Construction of New Nuclear Energy Unit(s) in the Republic of Armenia [3].

At the current stage of development, no other relevant body opinions or licenses are required; however, at later stages of development permits and licenses will be required from various state bodies; see Table 1.

In accordance with Article 7 of the Law on EIE, paragraph 1, CJSC “Metsamor Energo Atom” will submit documents on the intended activity once they have been prepared. Preparation of the main environmental document will address the list of data and their scope to be established by the Government of Armenia. The Environmental Scoping Report provided in Attachment C of this document may be used by the Ministry of Nature Protection in development of its proposal to the Government for documents and list of data and its amount in accordance with paragraph 2 of Article 7 of the Law on EIE.


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Table 1. Licenses and Permits Required for Armenia New Nuclear Unit

Agency Authority Requirement When

State Nuclear Safety Regulatory Committee (known as ANRA)

RoA Law on Licensing and GoA Decree № 609-N

Site Selection License for Nuclear Installations

Prior to beginning detailed design stage.

State Nuclear Safety Regulatory Committee


Designing License for Nuclear Installations

Prior to beginning detailed design stage.



Construction License for Nuclear Installations Prior to construction.



Operation License for Nuclear Installations Prior to operation.



License for services and other works not foreseen in the original design implemented during site selection, designing, construction, commissioning, operation and decommissioning of nuclear installations

Prior to conduct of services and other works meeting this requirement.

Public Services Regulatory Commission (PSRC)

RoA Law on Licensing and PSRC Resolution № 4

PSRC Licenses for construction/rehabilitation of electric power plants and for generation of electric energy.

Prior to construction.

Prior to operation.



Decommissioning License for Nuclear Installations

Prior to decommissioning.


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Table 1. Licenses and Permits Required for Armenia New Nuclear Unit

Agency Authority Requirement When

Mayor of Metsamor Town

RoA Land Code and GoA Decree № 609

Approval of construction, urban plans, and/or zoning

Prior to construction or any needed changes to plans or zoning.

Temporary Examination Body

GoA Decree № 96

Approval of Civil Construction Plans for complex facilities

Prior to construction.

MoNP/Water Resources Management Agency (or applicable Basin Management Organizations)

RoA Water Code

Water Use Permit

Prior to water withdrawals for Construction, prior to Commissioning for water withdrawals for Operation.

Ministry of Nature Protection

RoA Law on Air Protection; GoA Decree No. 192; and MoNP Decree No. 67.

Air Emissions Permit Prior to Commissioning.

Ministry of Transport and Communication

GoA Decree No. 1106. Road Use Permit(s)

Prior to use of track-type caterpillar vehicles and road-freight transport (e.g., two or more trailers).

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2. DESCRIPTION – ENVIRONMENT AND TECHNOLOGY

Armenia is highly dependent on the ageing Armenia Nuclear Power Plant (ANPP) Unit 2, which provides approximately 42% of the nation’s electric energy. ANPP Unit 2 30-year design lifetime will be met in 2016. The GoA has decided to shut down ANPP Unit 2 at the end of its design lifetime, contingent upon building replacement generating capacity [2].

The 2006 Least Cost Generation Plan (2006 LCGP) [4] considered a comprehensive suite of measures to replace the ANPP Unit 2 generating capacity, including energy efficiency measures and new generation resources: thermal, renewable, and nuclear. The 2006 LCGP concluded that construction of a new nuclear unit is the least cost option for replacing the capacity of ANPP Unit 2 and providing additional capacity to meet forecast growth in demand for electricity. In 2007, the 2006 LCGP was adopted by the GoA as consistent with its energy strategy [2].

2.1 ENVIRONMENTAL DESCRIPTION

The Armenia New Nuclear Unit (Armenia NNU) will be located on a parcel of land owned by the Government of Armenia, with rights of use currently granted to the Closed Joint Stock Company “Armenian Nuclear Power Plant” and occupied in part by the existing Armenia Nuclear Power Plant units. The GoA plans to transfer rights of use to the portion of the site not occupied by the existing ANPP units to CJSC “Metsamor Energo Atom” for the purpose of constructing and operating the Armenia NNU. The land is in the Trans-Caucasus region in Armavir marz (province) in western Armenia, as shown in Figure 1. The ANPP site, at an elevation of approximately 930 m above sea level, is 9.2 km east-northeast of the town of Armavir and 32 km west of Yerevan. Metsamor Town, ANPP’s satellite city, is 4.6 km from the site and Vagharshapat, home of the Echmiadzin Cathedral and grounds that serve as the seat (Mother See) of the Armenian Apostolic Church, is approximately 13 km away. The site is approximately 16 km from the Turkish border, which runs along the Araks River south of the site.

The ANPP site currently has two power-generating units with Soviet-designed VVER-440 (V-270) reactors, each with installed power capacity of 407.5 MWe. Both units were shutdown in early 1989 as a safety measure following the 1988 Spitak earthquake. Unit 1 remains in a shutdown condition. Unit 2 was restarted in 1995 following extensive inspections, safety upgrades, and refurbishment of equipment. Unit 2 is slated for permanent shutdown in 2016.

The ANPP site was originally planned to include four total units of VVER-440 reactors, with Units 3 and 4 to be situated to the west of Units 1 and 2. Preliminary site clearance for Units 3 and 4 was conducted in the early 1980’s, but construction of further units was not completed. The Armenia New Nuclear Unit will occupy approximately 74 ha in the area previously planned for Units 3 and 4.

The ANPP site is in the desert and semi-desert landscape zone. Nearby is the transition to the dry mountain steppe zone. Flora and fauna typical of the desert and semi-desert landscapes are likely in the plant vicinity. Impacts to the ecosystem, if expected anywhere, will be most pronounced at and near the site. Much of the area surrounding the site has been disturbed by agricultural activities. The portion of the land proposed for the new unit was disturbed by preliminary site clearance for Units 3 and 4 in the early 1980’s. The Sevjur River, source of cooling water for the site, is fed primarily by springs bringing water from underground aquifers to the surface that creates wetlands in the site vicinity. The Sevjur River supports many aquatic and marshland species, including nationally and regionally rare species.

Description – Environment and Technology. continued...

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An estimated population of approximately 228,000 resided within 16 km1 of the site in 2006, over 51% of whom lived in rural communities. In 2006, almost 2 million people were estimated to live in Armenia within 50 km of the site, 57% of whom were in Yerevan City, 28% in rural communities, and 15% in urban communities other than Yerevan. The population of Turkish territory within 50 km of the site was estimated to be approximately 124,000 in 2005, almost half of which were in the city of Igdir.

The current ANPP unit takes cooling water from the Sevjur River and a nearby groundwater collection pond. These same sources, approximately 7 km from the site, likely will be employed for the Armenia NNU. Without the influence of irrigation withdrawals, the flow in the Sevjur River would be fairly steady year round. Permits have been issued for withdrawal of18.8 m3/sec from the Sevjur River for fisheries, agriculture, industry and ANPP Unit 2, with a net average remaining available flow of 12.4 m3/sec.

2.2 DESCRIPTION OF TECHNICAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL SOLU TIONS FOR NEW NUCLEAR UNIT

The construction site plan for Armenia NNU is shown in Attachment B; Table 2 is a legend for buildings shown in Attachment B. Figure 2 illustrates the visual impact of Armenia NNU from Metsamor Town.

2.2.1 Reactor Plant Details

The Government of Armenia has selected the AES-92 reactor plant offered by AtomStroyExport of the Russian Federation as the nuclear island for the new unit [5].

The AES-92 is a design with four loop pressurized water reactor facility with an electrical power output of 1060 MWe gross / 995 MWe net (power consumption on plant auxiliaries is 6.5% of production) and thermal power output of 3000 MW. The AES-92 design is an evolutionary development of the VVER 1000 type reactor facility with additional passive safety systems and active safety systems combining safety and normal operation functions.

This reactor design is currently under construction at Koondankulam NPP in India and is pending at the Belene NPP, Bulgaria.

Current estimated schedules reflect a period of 48.5 months for construction. Plant staffing for the new unit is estimated at 900 persons; in that number 280 are in operations and 366 in maintenance.

The reactor plant design has been developed taking into account Russian, European Utility Requirements (EUR) and IAEA codes and standards and has a Certificate of conformity to the EUR requirements. The reactor plant is developed on the basis of the V-466B design with an increased reactor vessel diameter, upgraded steam generator design, and modernized reactor coolant pump set.

The reactor core consists of 163 fuel assemblies and up to 121 neutron absorbing rods for reactor control and protection. The reactor core employs average enrichment in new fuel of 4.58% mass U235. Design duration of the fuel cycle is 4 years with an operational period between refueling of 11.5 months and estimated refueling duration of 16 days.

1 Distances of 16 km and 50 km were used for collection of socioeconomic data and have no particular relationship to expected areas of impact.


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The design service life of the reactor plant main equipment is 40 years, the design lifetime of reactor pressure vessel is 60 years and 50 years for steam generators. The overall average availability of the plant over a representative operating period is expected to be in excess of 90%.

Active and passive safety systems are used for prevention of Design Basis Accidents (DBA) and Beyond Design Basis Accidents (BDBA) and for mitigation of their consequences.

The design employs a four channel safety system scheme. The active component-based on four channel’s safety system structure provides response to all DBAs and provides a safe status of the reactor plant, considering any associated channel failure and any non-associated active component failure in another channel or operator errors.

To manage BDBAs, including severe accidents, engineering features are provided ensuring mitigation of the consequences of beyond-design-basis accidents.

One of the engineering means specially designed for severe accident management with core melting and corium exit outside of reactor pressure vessel is the reactor core catcher. It is designed to receive, to accommodate and to cool melting materials of the reactor core and internals to full crystallization following the reactor pressure vessel penetration. The system operation is based on passive principles.

2.2.2 Steam Plant Details

The secondary (steam) circuit is a non-radioactive circuit. This circuit comprises a steam-generating section of the steam generator, main steam and feedwater pipelines, one turbine generator set, auxiliary equipment, service systems, and equipment for feedwater deaeration, heating and supply to the steam generators.

The steam plant is equipped with a condenser, a feedwater reheating system and moisture separator-reheaters. It has non-controlled steam extraction for the power plant's auxiliaries and for reheating of chemically cleaned water for make up to the cycle. The turbine is mounted with the generator on a single vibration-proof insulation foundation.

2.2.3 Cooling System Description

The base configuration evaluated assumes a single secondary (steam cycle) circuit with a nominal output of 1,060 MWe (gross); a single natural-draft cooling tower for condenser cooling; and a system of spray ponds to provide for cooling of safety-related and reactor auxiliary heat exchangers.

Armenia NNU is expected to draw an average of less than 2 m3/s of water from the Sevjur River pumping station and nearby groundwater settling pond to provide makeup to the circulating water and service water cooling systems. Blowdown from these systems will return an average of approximately 1 m3/s to the Sevjur River. The blowdown flow rates will be controlled such that principal constituents in the makeup water are concentrated by a factor of 2 prior to discharge.

The plant discharge pipe, which currently empties into the Sevjur River via the Kosh-Ujan storm water drainage canal, will be extended to discharge directly into the Sevjur River. The extended discharge pipe will carry blowdown from the cooling water systems and steam generators, as well as wastes from the demineralized water system, miscellaneous drains, and the liquid radwaste system that are within discharge limits set in the water use permit and plant operating license.


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2.2.4 Water Availability

It is planned that the New Unit will take cooling water from the Sevjur River, in a manner similar to the existing ANPP unit. Based on bounding values of water needs, during normal operation Armenia NNU would withdraw less than 2 m3/s total from the Zeiva irrigation dam on the Sevjur and the groundwater collection pond (which draws from the same sources of groundwater as the Sevjur), and discharge 1 m3/s approximately 0.8 km downstream. This would result in a net usage of water of approximately 1 m3/s. This compares with Sevjur River flow values of 6 m3/s (low flow during 2004-2006) to 20 m3/s (historic average). (The average flow at the site is lower than the historic average flow because of authorized withdrawals.) The average annual flow near the site is approximately 11 m3/s.

There should be ample water available to meet water needs in the ANPP vicinity. In addition to the Sevjur River, water could be supplied to the area via canal or pipeline from the Akhurian, Araks, Kasakh, and/or Hrazdan rivers with required approvals in accordance with the Water Code.

The National Water Program of Armenia assigns a higher priority to supply water for agriculture and drinking water uses than for power generation. To ensure availability of water for Armenia NNU, one or more of the following actions will be taken within the framework of the National Water Program and in accordance with the Water Code [7]:

1. Implement administrative measures to allocate Sevjur River water among authorized users and to limit unauthorized withdrawals;

2. Implement modern measures to improve irrigation practices and reduce water wastage in the plant vicinity; or

3. Add water to the Sevjur River system from one or more nearby rivers.

Such actions, if necessary, will not discriminate against other water users.

2.3 TRANSMISSION SYSTEM DESCRIPTION

High voltage overhead transmission lines of 110 kV and 220 kV currently connect the ANPP site to the Armenian power grid. The main (220 kV) transmission lines connect with:

• Ararat-2 substation in Ararat Marz to the southeast of ANPP; • Marash substation in the eastern part of Yerevan City, to the east of ANPP; • Ashnak substation in Aragatsotn Marz to the northwest of ANPP (two lines); and • Shaumyan-2 substation in the southwestern part of Yerevan City.

These same transmission lines also will serve Armenia New Nuclear Unit.

In addition, a new 400 kV overhead transmission line has been proposed to ensure adequate connections between the new plant and the Armenian power grid. A second 400 kV transmission line may serve the site also, connecting the ANNU with a substation in Turkey. The new transmission line will connect the Armenia New Nuclear Unit with a substation for the Hrazdan-5 Thermal Power Plant. According to RoA legislation, construction of a new transmission line is subject to environmental impact expertise.


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Figure 1. Map of Republic of Armenia


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Table 2. Legend for Armenia New Nuclear Unit Constr uction Layout Code NAME

UBA Normal operation power supply system

UBF Generator transformer structure

UBH Oil and water emergency discharge tank

UBN Building for stand-by emergency power supply diesel-generation system and control safety system/normal operation system

UCB Shielded control unit

UEJ Diesel fuel storage facilities

UEK Il storage facilities

UEL Pump station for diesel fuel and oil

UFA Spent fuel storage facilities

UFC New fuel storage facilities

UGB Building for demineralized water tanks and contaminated condensate tank

UGD Demineralization plant building

UGE Waste water neutralization building/Waste water tank structure

from chemical backwashing and conservation/Structures for neutralizing tank

UGH Storm water treatment structures

UGM Oil-containing water treatment structures

UGV Common-access area domestic waste water treatment structures

UGW Controlled-access area domestic waste water treatment structures

UJA Reactor building

UJG Transport portal

UJY Gallery of the controlled-access area

UKC Reactor auxiliary and main control room building

UKH Ventilation stack

UKU Controlled-access area workshops

UKX Special-purpose vehicles garage

UKY Gallery of the common-access area

ULC Structure for control tank/Structure for wash water accumulating tank/Structure for backwash water accumulating tank

UMA Turbine building

UMV T&G oil building

UMW Structure for emergency oil drain tank


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Table 2. Legend for Armenia New Nuclear Unit Constr uction Layout Code NAME

UMX Unit water demineralization plant building

UNA Heat distribution point

UNE Thermal network makeup installation

UNJ Contaminated heating water discharge tank structure

UQA Pump station

UQC Pump station of essential loads

UQR Chiller building

URR Spray pond

URX Reserve pool

USC Compressed air for isolation valves receivers structure

USE Receiver structure

USF Nitrogen-oxygen station/Nitrogen receivers structure for UJA building needs

USK Cylinders storage building

UST Workshops with central warehouse within free-access area

UTE Electrolysis building

UTF Compressor building

UTH Temporary boiler facility

UYB Health-physics building of controlled-access area

UYE Entrance checkpoint

UYF Vehicle checkpoint

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Figure 2. Photo from Cultural Vantage Point – Metsa mor Town Church

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3. DESCRIPTION – BASIC DATA ON IMPACT OF THE ARMENI A NEW NUCLEAR UNIT

This section discusses impacts of the Armenia New Nuclear Unit, applying the following definitions of impact significance:

Small Environmental effects are not detectable or are so minor that they neither destabilize nor noticeably alter any important attribute of the resource. For the purposes of assessing radiological impacts, those impacts that do not exceed permissible levels in RoA laws and regulations are considered small.

Moderate Environmental effects are sufficient to alter noticeably, but not to destabilize, important attributes of the resource.

Large Environmental effects are clearly noticeable and are sufficient to destabilize important attributes of the resource.

Construction and operation of the Armenia New Nuclear Unit will result in impacts on the environment. As evaluated in [6], most impacts are considered to be small; however some impacts have potentially greater significance, as discussed below. In many of these cases, additional studies and design/construction details will be necessary to definitively assess the significance of the impacts.

3.1 IMPACTS DUE TO CONSTRUCTION OF THE ARMENIA NEW NUCLEAR UNIT

Impacts due to construction are best controlled by using construction practices that do not produce impacts or at least minimize impacts. Construction activities should be planned and conducted in a manner that results in minimal environmental impact. A set of construction practices that minimize impacts of construction will be provided in the Armenia New Nuclear Unit Environmental Report.

Land use impacts of construction are anticipated to be small; however, land in the vicinity of the site may be impacted by degraded air quality due to dust during construction and vehicle emissions. Noise of construction equipment is also a potential impact on use of neighboring land.

Water-related impacts of construction are expected to be small. Design studies are needed for full assessment of potential impacts at water intake and discharge locations.

Ecological impacts of construction are expected to be small. Inventories of flora and fauna near the plant intake and discharge sites are necessary to fully assess potential impacts there.

The socioeconomic impacts of construction are anticipated to be small, except:

1. Traffic impacts due to transportation of workers and equipment;

2. Noise impacts on nearby residents due to operation of construction equipment;

Description – Basic Data on Impact of the Armenia New Nuclear Unit. continued...

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3. Noise impacts due to peak traffic volume if it is routed through Metsamor Town; and

4. Impacts of in-migrating workers on Metsamor Town (based on the assumption that the majority of workers will locate there or nearby).

The potential adverse impacts due to radiation exposure of construction workers during construction are anticipated to be small.

3.2 IMPACTS DUE TO OPERATION OF THE ARMENIA NEW NUC LEAR UNIT

Land use impacts of unit operation are expected to be small for all categories, since all activities will occur within existing land allocated for power production. No measures to prevent or mitigate land use impacts should be necessary.

Water-related impacts of operation are expected to be small, assuming that the GoA actions given in the section of the Description – Environment and Technology that discusses Water Availability, above, are taken.

The impacts of cooling system operation are expected to be small for all categories. Measures to prevent or mitigate the potential for impacts on fish in the pool from which water is drawn and operation of the switchyard under cooling tower drift conditions during plant operation will be identified in the Armenia New Nuclear Unit Environmental Report.

The radiological impacts of normal plant operation are expected to be small. A census of farm animals and subsistence practices in the site vicinity is necessary to identify limiting individuals for ingestion doses and assess radiation impacts on those individuals.

The environmental impacts of waste are anticipated to be small for all categories, assuming that actions are taken to establish appropriate water quality standards for the Sevjur River. The Working Group established by the Secretary of the National Security Council has drafted a concept document for Radioactive Waste and Spent Nuclear Fuel Safe Management in the Republic of Armenia; implementation of that concept should minimize the impacts of radioactive waste management activities. Measures to prevent or mitigate other impacts will be provided in the Armenia New Nuclear Unit Environmental Report.

The impacts of transmission system operation associated with the Armenia New Nuclear Unit are anticipated to be small, if any. The impacts of the proposed new 400 kV transmission line between the Armenia NNU and Hrazdan-5 Thermal Power Plant will be assessed in connection with design and construction approvals for that (those) line(s) according to RoA laws and regulations.

Potential adverse socioeconomic impacts of Armenia New Nuclear Unit operation are anticipated to be small, if any, for all categories evaluated except:

- Population increases in Metsamor Town due to new operating staff for the New Nuclear Unit (population increases due to new staff may be offset by departure of staff retiring from ANPP Units 1 and 2).

- Increases in costs of housing in Metsamor Town due to new residents (impacts may have already occurred due to pressures during construction phase).

Measures to prevent or mitigate impacts will be included in the Armenia New Nuclear Unit Environmental Report.

Description – Basic Data on Impact of the Armenia New Nuclear Unit. continued...

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Environmental impacts of ANNU decommissioning are anticipated to be small. Those impacts will be subject to environmental assessment in accordance with the RoA Laws and international agreements in effect at the time that decommissioning plans are developed and the decommissioning license is sought for the Armenia New Nuclear Unit.

3.3 IMPACTS OF POSTULATED ACCIDENTS INVOLVING RADIO ACTIVE MATERIALS

Design basis accident results for the AES-92 reactor have been certified to meet the target objectives of the European Utility Requirements (EUR) document [9], which requires that no action is necessary beyond 800 m from the reactor and allows only very limited economic impact outside the plant. The EUR specifies that in the event of a severe (beyond design basis) accident no action is needed beyond 3,000 m from the reactor, with limited economic impact outside the plant (on the order of a few square km and one crop).

Based on assumptions that solid radioactive waste will be disposed of in a facility to be constructed on or near the ANPP site and that spent nuclear fuel will be placed in a temporary dry storage facility on the site, no transportation accidents involving these activities are expected. In any case, the impacts of onsite accidents involving spent nuclear fuel or radioactive wastes are bounded by the design basis accident results for a fuel handling accident, which are shown as acceptable.

The actual consequences of offsite transportation accidents involving radioactive waste and spent (irradiated) nuclear fuel will be evaluated during the licensing of these activities, when necessary details are known.

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4. REFERENCES

[1] Republic of Armenia Law on Environmental Impact Expertise, dated 20 November 1995.

[2] Republic of Armenia Resolution № 1296, dated 1 November 2007, On Action Plan of the Ministry of Energy developed based on provisions of the RoA National Safety Strategy (07.02.07).

[3] Republic of Armenia Law On Construction of New Nuclear Energy Unit(s) in the Republic of Armenia, adopted on 27 October 2009.

[4] PA Consulting, 2006, Armenia Power Sector Least Cost Generation Plan.

[5] Government of Armenia Resolution № 1458-N, On Establishment of a Closed Joint Stock Company for the Purpose of Construction of the New Nuclear Energy Unit (Units) in The Republic of Armenia, dated 3 December 2009.

[6] PA Consulting, 2008, Environmental Background Information Document for a new unit at the Armenia Nuclear Power Plant (ANPP) site.

[7] Water Code of the Republic of Armenia, June 4, 2002.

[8] Government of Armenia Resolution № 1489-N, On Approval of Radiation Safety Rules, dated 18 August 2006.

[9] European Utility Requirements for LWR Nuclear Power Plants (EUR) Volume 2, Generic Nuclear Island Requirements, Chapter 1, Safety Requirements (Part 1), Rev. C, April 2001.

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ATTACHMENT A: LETTER FROM ARMAVIR MARZPET

THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA

MARZPET OF ARMAVIR

16.03.2010

No. 01/02/197-10

To: Mr. A. MOVSISYAN

MINISTER OF ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA

Dear Mr. Movsisyan

In response to your letter No. 01/20/167-10 dated 03.11.2010, we would like to inform that construction of the new nuclear unit is not only in compliance with the social and economic development plans of the RoA Armavir Marz , but also will serve as a strong incentive to the further development of both Metsamor town and the Marz itself. We express our gratitude for initiating construction of the new unit and for cooperating with marzpetaran.

A. GHAHRAMANYAN

MARZPET

Executors: P. Karapetyan, K. Danielyan

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ATTACHMENT B: ARMENIA NNU CONSTRUCTION SITE

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ATTACHMENT C: ENVIRONMENTAL SCOPING REPORT

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