Armenia resumes its nuclear threat to region
By Rashid Shirinov
The Metsamor nuclear power plant (NPP) of Armenia, which can be regarded as the main threat to the regional environment and people’s lives, soon will be launched again.
The NPP will start operating from November 26, Director General of the plant, Movses Vardanyan told journalists on October 12, Sputnik-Armenia states.
“It is assumed that the plant will be under renovation until November 25. Our plan for this year is the full test of the reactive unit, starting with core, upper unit, steam generators and their pipes,” Vardanyan said.
Earlier, the Metsamor NPP suspended its operation for two months as the renovation work has begun there since September 20. The work implies operation of the NPP until May 2017.
However, it is planned that in spring Armenia will again start works on extension of the term of Metsamor NPP’s operation, now for additional 10 years until 2026. The Armenian government adopted this decision in March 2014. It was related to delays in the construction of a new nuclear power unit.
Back to the past, the construction of Metsamor NPP began in 1970. It was closed after a devastating earthquake of 1988 in the town of Spitak. However, in 1995, despite numerous protests of international community, the Armenian government renewed the operation of the NPP. Moreover, the second reactor was launched.
Many international ecologists and scientists keep noting that the seismic activity of the area makes the operation of the nuclear power station in Metsamor an extremely dangerous enterprise. It is noteworthy that addressing the Council of Europe, Armenia undertook closure of the station, but has not fulfilled this commitment.
Recently, Turkey's Energy and Natural Resources Minister Berat Albayrak stressed that the Metsamor NPP is a threat to Turkey's security. Albayrak advised the international community to pay more attention to this problem. “Metsamor NPP, located in seismic zone, should be shut down. The world cannot risk another disaster like Chernobyl,” the Minister emphasized.
“There is great nuclear security risk to the region regarding Metsamor NPP, especially in the context of the occupation of Azerbaijani territory by Armenia,” The Korea Times underlined. The dubious condition of spent fuel and waste material from Metsamor NPP also raises safety concerns.
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Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov
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