1990s Armenian energy crisis
| Date | 1991–1995 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 4 Years |
| Location | Armenia |
| Also known as | Dark and Cold Years |
| Cause | Shutting down of Metsamor NPP after Spitak Earthquake, cutting off of natural gas pipelines by Azerbaijan |
| Outcome | Emigration of 676,000–800,000 people |
| Fully Recovered | |
The energy crisis in Armenia, popularly known as the dark and cold years (Armenian: Մութ ու ցուրտ տարիներ), refers to the energy crisis in Armenia during the 1990s, when the newly independent Armenia's population lived in shortage of energy and basic consumer goods. Although it only lasted 3–4 years, it left a deep impact and impression. Local people have dubbed the years from 1992 to 1995 in different ways, such as "hungry", "cold", and "bad", but the most common title used is "the dark".
During this period, the population of Armenia and Artsakh had to make do with well water, candles, and cut wood for their needs. Many creative solutions came to exist to deal with the severe lack of electricity (1–2 hours a day) and lack of other basic resources.