Armenia's Commitment to Small Modular Reactors Raises Geopolitical Questions
Armenia has committed to replacing its Metsamor nuclear facility with Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology. This decision is seen as a geopolitical move, potentially favoring American technology over Russian alternatives. However, industry expert Henry Tillman suggests that Armenia might also consider Chinese SMRs and Thorium reactors. The U.S. SMRs are criticized for being experimental, with no operational plants yet. Meanwhile, China and Russia are advancing in this field, with China expected to release its first commercial SMR by 2026. Armenia's decision is significant given its reliance on nuclear power for 35% of its energy needs and its limited budget of $9 billion. 
