The Armenian government made a decision to extend the design life of the energy block of the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant until 2016. The Armenian Finance Ministry was instructed to take measures to sign an agreement with the Russian government to draw loans for the programme's implementation till May 1, 2014. There will be more operations on the construction of a new nuclear energy block in Armenia, Armenia Today reported on March 27.
"All this is connected with the global economic crisis," Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan said. "The adequate funding was not found because on account of this. It is necessary to intensify the work."
The Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant was built in 1970. After the devastating earthquake in Spitak in 1988, it was closed. However, despite international protests in 1995, its activity was resumed and the second reactor was commissioned.
The seismic activity of the area turns the operation of the nuclear power plant in Metsamor into an extremely risky venture even in case of a new reactor construction according to the ecologists and scholars from all over the region.
Translated by NH
Edited by SM