YEREVAN. May 22 (Interfax-AVN) - A project to build Armenia's new nuclear power unit with a capacity of up to 1,200 megawatts is to begin in 2012, Armenian Energy and Natural Resources Minister Armen Movsisyan said in the country's parliament on Thursday.
"It is not important which country or organization will build a new nuclear power unit in Armenia. What is important is that it should function in compliance with the republic's laws and international requirements," the minister said.
International consortium Worley Parsons has been announced the winner of Armenia's tender to select a management company to implement the aforementioned project in the country. A management company will help the Armenian government arrange the entire construction process.
The construction of a new nuclear power unit was originally scheduled to start in late 2010 or early 2011. According to its feasibility study, the project will cost $ 5.7 billion-$7.2 billion. The facility is expected to begin operating before 2017. The Armenian nuclear power plant's existing unit will be shut down before the new unit starts functioning.