Turkish environmental and human rights organizations call for closure of  Armenian NPP

ArmInfo.  On June 1, 33 environmental and human rights organizations in Turkey held a protest  in Igdir, where they demanded the shutdown of the Armenian NPP.As reported by Ermenihaber, protesters  noted that the NPP in Armenia, despite its service life expiring in 2025, is still actively operating. Sabahat Aslan, President of the Mersin Nature and Environment Association, pointed out that the Metsamor NPP has the most hazardous technology among all nuclear power stations in the world today. She emphasized that this station has an extremely negative impact on the environment and  human health, particularly in the province of Igdir. "We urge all international organizations dealing with nuclear power plants and the Armenian government to  close the Metsamor NPP before Armenia turns into another Chernobyl and Fukushima. The relevant structures in our country must take immediate measures to close it. Our struggle will continue until the Armenian NPP is closed," the protester noted, adding that Igdir is currently suffering greatly due to the operation of the NPP in Armenia.  The number of cancer cases in the region has allegedly increased significantly, with people unable to receive treatment, and an increasing number of children born with leukemia. The protesters also voiced opposition to the construction of a NPP on the territory  of Turkey itself.

Note that this is not the first time Ankara has insisted on the  closure of the nuclear power plant in Armenia, claiming  it poses "a threat not only to Turkey, but to the entire region." However,   industry experts state that after the major overhaul, the plant has been practically updated. In December 2023, during a visit to the nuclear power plant, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi reported that the Armenian NPP follows  IAEA recommendations and instructions, closely cooperating with the agency. Grossi expressed confidence that Armenia is carrying out serious work in terms of NPP safety. "The Armenian nuclear power plant follows IAEA recommendations and instructions, which is very important. Important repairs have been  carried out at the NPP, which were necessary. So we can continue to work. The life of the NPP should be extended by several years, and we are satisfied with the way this work has been carried out," the IAEA Director General noted, adding that the Agency will continue to provide support to help the plant generate low-carbon energy safely and reliably. He noted that during his visit to the NPP he saw significant improvements in safety and security. 

In March 2024, Director General of the Armenian NPP Eduard  Martirosyan reported that the safety systems of the Armenian NPP are at an extremely high level. "The financial resources allocated by the Armenian government are sufficient and fully meet the criteria for modernizing the existing safety systems. We are already considering implementing new technologies  to ensure the continued safe operation of our nuclear power plant from 2026 to 2036," Martirosyan stated, adding that the program for the repeated extension of the Metsamor  NPP's service life, with a budget of $65 million, is being carried  out  in partnership with Rusatom-Service JSC. The Director General also highlighted the importance of safety for the Armenian side. "No other state can think about our safety more than we do. The operation of any nuclear power plant can be halted by the leadership of the owning state. I would like to note that the Republic of Armenia  owns 100% of the shares of the Armenian NPP, and other states can only offer opinions, based on their narrow goals... And according to IAEA experts, who visit Armenia and conduct research, it has been confirmed that the Armenian NPP operates in compliance with all necessary safety criteria," the Director General of the Metsamor NPP  emphasized.