Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant shut down

Armenia's Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant has suspended its activities for 65 days due to precautionary measures, according to local media.

"With the view of implementing outage-2020 covering a large scope of activities within the framework of the ANPP life extension program, the ANPP plans shutdown of Unit 2 from July 1, 2020, at 00:00 and the start-up in 65 days, on September 3," the ANPP said in a statement.

The construction of the Metsamor NPP started in 1970. The plant was shut down following a devastating earthquake in the town of Spitak in 1988. However, in 1995, despite numerous protests of the international community, the Armenian government resumed the NPP's operation and launched a second nuclear reactor.

A strong earthquake can have a catastrophic effect on the Metsamor NPP, leading to an accident and contamination with radioactive materials in Armenia and neighboring countries.