INPP and Lithuanian Geological Survey signed a cooperation agreement

On 26 February, the State Enterprise Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant (hereinafter – SE INPP) and the Lithuanian Geological Survey under the Ministry of Environment (hereinafter – LGS) signed a cooperation agreement on the implementation of the Deep geological repository project in 2021-2030.

The parties of the agreement, considering the importance of the Deep geological repository project, unique experience and competence of the LGS in the field of geology, agreed to join the parties' resources and competencies and to coordinate their activities.

This agreement provides a solid basis for the proper implementation of the Deep geological repository project envisaged in the “Development Program for Decommissioning of Nuclear Power Facilities and Radioactive Waste Management for 2021–2030” approved by the Resolution No. 76 of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania on 3 February 2021.

Active participation of the LGS in the Deep geological repository project was identified by SE INPP as a necessary condition for the successful implementation of the project.

Pursuant to the cooperation agreement, LGS will prepare the main geological eligibility selection criteria for the Deep geological repository, supervise the planned geological research, comprehensively study and analyze research data and provide SE INPP with the necessary consultations in the field of geology during whole period of the agreement.

“I am delighted that together with the LGS, acting in the interests of the state, we have agreed and properly distributed responsibilities for the joint implementation of a project which is important to the state. The involvement of the LGS, especially such a complex and qualified one, guarantees the professionalism and reliability of future geological solutions,” noted Audrius Kamienas, Director General of SE INPP.

The activities of the initial conceptual planning stage of the Deep geological repository planned for 2021-2030 are financed from the Lithuanian state budget and the Norwegian Grants (under the project “Increasing the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management at Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant”).

More information about the Deep geological repository project: https://www.iae.lt/en/activity/decommissioning-projects/deep-geological-repository/424