YEREVAN, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Armenia's Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant has been taken offline for a scheduled five-month maintenance, Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Davit Khudatyan said Thursday.
The shutdown is part of the efforts to extend the facility's operational lifespan by 10 years, the minister said at a cabinet meeting.
Located in the southwestern province of Armavir, Metsamor nuclear plant, as the country's only nuclear power plant, accounts for roughly 30 percent to 40 percent of Armenia's electricity. The plant is currently licensed to operate until fall in 2026.
Meanwhile, the Armenian government is discussing with multiple countries on building a new modular nuclear power plant, Khudatyan said.
The minister also noted significant growth in Armenia's solar energy generation. "Most likely, in 2026, the electricity produced by our solar power plants will be comparable to what the Metsamor nuclear power plant would have generated if it were operating," he said.
