Last week, Armenia announced its intention to forgo remaining funding from Rosatom, Russia’s nuclear energy company, for the rehabilitation of Metsamor, the country’s Soviet-era nuclear power plant. The source of nearly 40% of Armenia’s electricity, the aging Metsamor also symbolizes Armenia’s historically close relationship with Russia. Rosatom is the successor of the Soviet Ministry of Atomic Energy, and, along with Gazprom and Rosneft, exemplifies the fusion of power and profit in Vladimir Putin’s Russia. It also represents significant strategic interest.
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The smoke stacks of the Metzamor nuclear power station are seen on Sept. 26, 2010 outside Yerevan.
