EPA approved the planned dismantling works

On 20 April, SE Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant (INPP) received a decision of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on the possibilities of dismantling and decontamination of INPP A-2 and V-2 units' equipment (project 2210, Phase 1).

Pursuant to Item 2 of Paragraph 1 of Article 10 of the Law on Environmental Impact Assessment of Proposed Economic Activities of the Republic of Lithuania, EPA adopted a decision that the planned economic activities – dismantling and decontamination of INPP's A-2 and V-2 units are permitted. The decision on the environmental impact of the project works was made based on the environmental impact assessment report submitted by INPP. 

The scope of the project will include the dismantling of the main equipment and auxiliary systems of the INPP Unit 2 reactor, as well as the primary treatment of dismantling waste. In the middle of 2022, it is planned to complete the preparation of documents on the dismantling and decontamination of INPP A2 and V2 units and to coordinate them with the regulatory authorities of the Republic of Lithuania. It is planned to complete the dismantling of equipment and the primary treatment of dismantling waste in 2029. During the planned activities, over 10 thousand tons of equipment will be dismantled. Following the dismantling of the reactors, which is planned to be completed in 2035, it is planned to dismantle the remaining systems and equipment that were operated during the dismantling of the reactors.

The planned works will not have any significant radiological impact on the environment, public health, socio-economic or natural components of the environment of neighboring countries, as well as on the health of the population of these countries. Following cross-border consultations, neighboring countries had no comments or suggestions on the environmental impact assessment report.

The experience gained during the implementation of previous INPP decommissioning and decontamination projects, as well as the skills and experience of other nuclear power plants where similar activities have been or are currently being carried out will be used in the preparation of project documents and activities. The dismantling and decontamination of the equipment will be carried out in accordance with modern ecological requirements, using the newest technologies, the IAEA principles of radioactive waste management and the current good practice in the countries of the European Union.

The project of dismantling and decontamination of A-2 and V-2 units is financed by the Ignalina Program.