EcoLur
As it’s known the government intends to prolong the lifetime period of Armenian NPP, which will finish in 2016. The program of taking ANPP out of service has been drawn up with an amendment to decision on prolongation.
Thus, Action Plan on Taking ANPP out of Service published on the official website of Energy and Natural Resources of Armenia, shows that first actions, “List and Structure of Necessary Legislative and Regulatory Documents” were specified still in 2008. The drawing up of documents has started since 2011. Then, “Action Plan After Accomplishing Service” stage has been proposed, which should start in 2015. From 2016 to 2023 hazardous substances should be removed, carry out asbestos insulation, to make a repository for recycled radioactive fuel, to conduct deactivation of heat transport main circuit etc. Then the stage of establishing areas for waste management will be implemented, and here we remind about one of the weakest points in our nuclear energy, certainly radioactive wastes. The place for waste burial is supposedly Russian firing grounds. Nevertheless, wastes haven’t been taken out for more than 20 years due to absence of railway communications. Their temporary repository is the territory of ANPP. In 2010, Energy Ministry has already sought to find an area for burial of radioactive wastes, in Ararat Valley, near Zangakatoun village. They were searching for an area, which is supposed to have impressive sizes, 2 square kilometers with one-meter-long tunnel. Nevertheless, searchers left the place when they met opposition from locals. Whether it will take long? The abovementioned Plan doesn’t mention any timeframe for implementing these actions. And finally, dismantling objects and liberating areas. Under the plan, these actions should be implemented from 2023 to 2046. That is, in very far future for our government.
July 09, 2012 at 13:51