Shaffer: Operation of Metsamor nuke plant - threat to population of Armenia itself, not only region

Armenia’s repeated decisions to extend the life of the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant create not only a regional danger to Georgia, Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Iran and the southern Black Sea region, but first and foremost to the people of Armenia, Brenda Shaffer, professor at Naval Postgraduate School (US) and member of the American Political Science Association told Report.

The operation of the Metsamor nuclear power plant, located near the Armenian capital Yerevan, poses potential threats to radiation safety, environmental problems and risks to human health.

Türkiye, the European Union and various international organizations have long advocated the closure of this nuclear power plant.

However, in March 2024, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced plans to commission a new power unit at the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant by 2036, the end of the current unit’s service life.

“Metsamor is located only 35 kilometers from Yerevan. Metsamor shares with Chernobyl that it has no containment vessel. So like Chernobyl, an accident at Metsamor can easily lead to contamination. Metsamor is the only nuclear power plant remaining outside of Russia that does not have a containment vessel. Armenia is located in a seismic zone which adds the dangers of an accident. It is amazing that there are few citizens and organizations in Armenia itself calling for the closure of this dangerous plant,” the professor noted.

“Yerevan published and signed in all its partnership agreements with the EU that it would close Metsamor. Yerevan even received funds to close the plant. But Armenia didn’t follow through with its promises. In the EU 2020 Partnership Report with Armenia, Brussels stated “The nuclear power plant located in Metsamor cannot be upgraded to fully meet internationally accepted nuclear safety standards, and therefore requires an early closure and safe decommissioning.” Despite this very clear statement, the EU has not taken serious steps to stop extension of the nuclear power plant. High Representative Borrell during his February 2024 meeting with the Armenian Foreign Minister Mirzoyan stated the EU’s willingness to help Armenia close the plant. What is the point of the EU countries closing down modern and well-functioning nuclear power plants in Europe, while in its neighborhood very dangerous nuclear reactors continue to operate?”

“Pashinyan stated this week that “Armenia’s nuclear plant symbolizes our sovereignty.” Kind of an ironic statement, considering that Armenia is 100 percent dependent on Russia’s Rosatom for maintenance of the plant and for its fuel. Russia also owns Armenia’s electricity grid, which is supplied by the plant,” Shaffer added.

“Armenia has in recent months declared its desire to reduce its dependence on Russia, and thus enable increased cooperation with the West. Expansion of Metsamor’s capacity, in contrast, would deepen Armenia’s dependence on Russia. If Washington and Brussels want to seriously aid Armenia to deepen its ties with the West, it needs to find a way for Armenia to end Moscow’s control of almost all of Armenia’s strategic infrastructure, including almost all its energy infrastructure.

Armenia could provide for its energy needs with safer energy sources, especially since half of the nuclear power plants output is exported to Iran. Armenia has very little industrial activity, thus its energy consumption per capita is very small.”