Neighboring country's nuclear power plant? "No, thanks": An energy justice analysis

The Metsamor nuclear power plant in Armenia, which was commissioned in 1976, is located 16 km from the Turkish border. The risks and opportunities associated with Metsamor, which meets 40% of Armenia's energy needs, also affect those living along the Turkish border; however, it is not academically known how these risks and opportunities are distributed among those living along the Turkish border. There are no comprehensive studies analyzing the impacts of the Metsamor nuclear power plant on T & uuml;rkiye from an energy justice perspective. To address this gap in understanding, face-to-face interviews were conducted with residents (n = 44) living 30 km away from Metsamor on the Turkish border. Two main conclusions were reached: first, the participants perceive that the opportunities and risks of the Metsamor NPP are not shared fairly with those living in Turkey; and second, those living on the Turkish border near Metsamor do not have the right to participate in any decision-making processes related to nuclear energy, access to information, and access to justice. This study concludes that nuclear power plants located on a country's borders can lead to energy injustice in neighboring countries.