The Armenian government is reviewing its previous approach to the capacity of the future nuclear power plant amid a rapid increase in electricity consumption. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that a small modular nuclear power plant, which the authorities had previously focused on, would most likely be insufficient. According to him, about a year ago the country had an excess of electricity, but now it faces a deficit.

Pashinyan cited large investment projects, including those related to artificial intelligence, as one of the reasons for the change in the situation. Companies operating in this area are already approaching the government with requests for significant volumes of electricity. The previously existing reserve of generating capacities has been in demand for new projects, so Armenia will have to simultaneously consider increasing its own generation and the possibility of importing electricity.

Against this background, the authorities are studying the option of building a new nuclear power plant with a capacity of about 1000 MW. Pashinyan emphasized that there is no final decision yet: specialists are evaluating the parameters of the future energy system. At the same time, the Prime Minister noted the need to take into account not only current demand, but also the country's needs in about 10 years, and the government intends to decide on further actions in the coming months.