INPP reactor dismantling technologies

On 28 December, SE Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant signed two contracts for design services for reactor dismantling technologies. Reactor dismantling technologies for the INPP will be developed by some of the largest companies in the world nuclear energy market: a consortium led by Westinghouse Electric Spain (a subsidiary of the US company Westinghouse Electric), consisting of Westinghouse Electric Spain SAU and Jacobs Slovakia s.r.o., and Lithuanian Energy Institute, as well as other consortium led by the French company Electricite de France, consisting of Electricite de France and Graphitech companies. The preliminary contracts were signed for a period of 4 years, the maximum worth of each preliminary contract is EUR 5,500,000.00 excluding VAT.

The design services for the dismantling technologies will be provided in 2 phases. In Phase 1, a concept for the dismantling of the reactor will be developed through the award of two pre-contracts with contractors. Each contractor will design and propose two engineering solutions.

The INPP, in consultation with stakeholders (EC, Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Lithuania, CPVA, VATESI), will carry out an assessment of the proposed options and select the best concept on which the procurement of technical design and licensing services for the dismantling of the reactors will be based. The work in Phase 2 (technological design, safety analysis report and other documents), aimed at the further development of the selected dismantling concept, of the reactors, will be procured in a separate tender following the completion of the concluded preliminary contracts.

"Today we have achieved an important milestone in the decommissioning project of the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant. The dismantling of the reactor core is the most challenging part of the decommissioning. We are therefore delighted and proud of the fact that we are seeking the best, most advanced, and safest dismantling technologies together with intelligent and reliable world-class partners. It is very important for us that these world-renowned companies, with their significant professional experience and cutting-edge innovations, will be part of the INPP decommissioning project. I am firmly convinced that the knowledge and experience they will bring to the project will be invaluable and will provide a solid foundation for further dismantling of the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant's reactors," said Audrius Kamienas, Director General of INPP.

We remind you that the physical dismantling of the reactor, which will start in 2028, is an unprecedented project, with no analogues in the world. The dismantling of the world's two most powerful RBMK reactors is the first decommissioning project of its kind in the world.

The project is funded by the EU Ignalina Programme.