WITH energy in perpetual short supply,
the Armenian government has decided
to restart the Metsamor nuclear reactor
which was closed down in 1988 following a devastating earthquake. Reviving
the 407 MW reactor is a desperate
measure for the state which is facing
ruin due to the seven-year-old
undeclared war with neighbouring
Azerbaijan, and economic chaos leading
to the closure of most factories in the
post-Soviet cra- The government's
attempt is a valiant effort to meet with
the price rise and power crises prevalent
in the state.
The decision of the Armenia,
ernment has sparked off a wave
protests in the West. The reactor
not meet the international stand
according to us experts. And its
- a Soviet one - is regarded to
unsafe, as it lacks the dome-shaped
tainment structure customan, to
Western reactors. This, the.
increases the chance of leakage. But
Armenian officials are adamant A
restoring the reactor and say that it
meet with the standards follo4
worldwide. They feet that the oblecut
made by the Western world reflectsi
East-West competition. Officials h.
ruled out the us allegation that the
tor lacks power to withstand the art
serious earthquakes.
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
.png)
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.