Armenia to Close Nuclear Plant

[jpak]

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jM97WlLt3KY8SWBv6-WEafZz2J0AD8T7KHTO0

YEREVAN, Armenia (AP) — Armenia approved a plan Thursday to shut down its lone nuclear power plant, following years of pressure from foreign nations concerned about its Soviet-era design and safety.

The government gave no date for closing the Medzamor reactor, located about 20 miles west of the capital, Yerevan. The 27-year-old plant, which supplies nearly half the country's electricity, halted operations after a 1988 earthquake but was restarted during an energy shortage in 1995.

Since then, Armenia has been under constant pressure to close the plant ahead of its 2016 operational end-life due to safety concerns and possible design flaws. The European Union has pledged loans and other assistance estimated to about cover the cost of closing it.

The shutdown could cost up to $280 million, Energy Minister Armen Movsisian said.

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[NickB79]

1. "supplies nearly half of the country's electricity"

Gee, I wonder what they'll use to replace that. Hmmm, Russia and all it's wonderful natural gas is close by, but nah, I bet there are wind farms and solar panels sprouting up all over Armenia as we speak. Right?