Tag: Metsamor

Much has been written about Armenia’s political and security ties, including its dependence and overreliance on Russia. Hovhannes Nazaretyan provides an overview of Russian control and influence in Armenia's economy.

If an accident were ever to happen at the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant, how prepared are authorities and relevant state bodies in Armenia to respond to such a disaster? Hranoush Dermoyan explains.

On December 5, 2021, Armenia will be holding the most important municipal election in its 30 years since independence. This municipal race, and the two previous ones earlier in the autumn, serve as a kind of second round to provide greater insight into Armenia’s ever-changing political landscape.

Armenia’s Nuclear Power Plant in Metsamor is vital for Armenia’s energy security; it also poses dangers that are often overlooked. While the focus has been its location, less public scrutiny has been paid to its ongoing environmental impact.

One of the most important dimensions of Armenian-EU cooperation is the energy sector. The EU has expressed a willingness to support Armenia in designing an energy strategy and policy, including security and diversification of the energy supply.

While there might be an increasing appreciation in the world for Soviet modernist architecture and some surviving prominent examples in Armenia, the first in depth, multidisciplinary publication on Soviet Armenian modernism is about the city of Metsamor. A conversation with visual artist Katharina Roters and architect Sarhat Petrosyan about what makes Metsamor distinctive not only in Armenia but also in the world. 

The 1986 Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant accident was considered the worst nuclear disaster in history. It exposed hundreds of thousands of people to high levels of radiation, killing dozens and affecting millions across Europe. Experts from all over the Soviet Union were sent to “liquidate” the effects of the radiation. Among them were several thousand Armenians.

Armenia’s Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant, located in a seismically active area, was designed to be decommissioned in 2016. It has been a topic of debate and discussion in Armenian society for decades. Justin Tomczyk takes a closer look.

Even after Armenia gained independence from the Soviet Union, it is still reliant on many Soviet-built (sometimes very poorly built) infrastructure that can prove to be dangerous to local communities, flora and fauna, as well as the country’s economy and national security.