Pashinyan Rejects Aliyev’s Metsamor Claims, Says Armenia Seeks ‘100% Energy Independence’

Armenia has made no new commitment to close the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant and remains focused on achieving full energy independence, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said Thursday, responding to recent remarks by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev about the plant and future regional energy links.

Speaking after an Aug. 13 government meeting, Pashinyan said Metsamor’s operating timeline has already been established, including under international agreements signed by previous Armenian governments.

“There is nothing new here,” Pashinyan said.

His comments came two days after Aliyev described the nuclear plant as outdated and said it would eventually have to close.

“It poses a danger to the entire region,” Aliyev said during an Aug. 11 visit to Nakhchivan, adding that Azerbaijan and Turkey have repeatedly raised concerns about the facility. “The operating life of the nuclear power plant cannot be extended indefinitely. Sooner or later, it must be closed.”

Aliyev also suggested Azerbaijan could become an alternative energy supplier for Armenia.

Pashinyan said Armenia’s electricity needs could grow significantly in the coming years, particularly as the country develops energy-intensive artificial intelligence facilities. At the same time, he said the government’s broader strategy is to achieve “100% energy independence.”

The discussion comes as Armenia and Azerbaijan work on potential cross-border infrastructure projects.

Pashinyan confirmed that specialists from the two countries have been in direct contact over infrastructure issues. He referred to a previously announced meeting in September 2025 and said another visit by Azerbaijani specialists to Armenia took place in January.

“We have previously said that we are working on infrastructure issues, and bilateral work is taking place,” he said.

Aliyev offered further details this week, saying Azerbaijani specialists had studied locations in Armenia for electricity infrastructure that could connect mainland Azerbaijan with Nakhchivan.

According to Aliyev, Azerbaijan has already prepared a plan for transmission lines through Armenian territory. He said specialists had identified locations where electrical facilities would need to be installed.

“We hope the Armenian side will not delay this issue either,” Aliyev said.

The proposed electricity connection is among the infrastructure projects being discussed in connection with TRIPP, a planned route through Armenia linking Azerbaijan with Nakhchivan.

Aliyev has placed particular emphasis on the potential energy component of the project. Pashinyan’s remarks, however, shows Yerevan’s position that any expansion of regional energy trade would take place alongside Armenia’s goal of securing its own long-term energy independence.

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