The construction of the nuclear power plant was launched in 1969 . Unit 1 plant was commissioned on December 22 , 1976 , while unit 2 was commissioned on January 5 , 1980 . However , it was temporarily closed in 1989 after the 1988 Armenian earthquake for safety reasons . Later , economic and transportation blockades imposed by Azerbaijan and its ally Turkey over the Republic of Armenia , created energy shortages in the country , forcing the Armenian government to reopen the plant in 1993 . Unit 2 reactor was brought back into operation on October 26 , 1995 . Nowadays , the Metsamor plant generates 40 % of Armenia 's energy needs . The plant was heavily modernized and redeveloped between 2003 and 2015 . The construction of a 3rd unit is planned to replace the old reactors by 2026
1988 Armenian earthquake
1988 Armenian earthquake
Metsamor