Potential sites for DGR – only after assessing potential impact

Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant (INPP) has signed a contract with IDOM Consulting Engineering Architecture (Spain) for a study that will help select the most suitable sites in Lithuania for the construction of a deep geological repository. The repository will store radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel from the decommissioned Ignalina NPP. Within the scope of the study, a methodology will be developed to help assess the potential locations of the deep geological repository from a socio-economic perspective. 

The safest choice

Disposal of radioactive waste in a deep geological repository is currently considered to be the only sustainable and safe way to isolate the radioactive waste without harming humans and the biosphere. Under the project, the radioactive waste will be placed in special containers and pushed into shafts, which would be later sealed.

The area where the radioactive waste is stored should be tectonically and seismically stable so that the geological environment guarantees the safe isolation of the radioactive waste. Suitable rocks must lie at a depth of at least 200 m and be of sufficient thickness, composition and properties to serve as a barrier.

Potential sites will be selected considering the minimal impact on environment

However, in addition to geological criteria, it is equally important to anticipate the potential impact of a deep geological repository on people’s living environment, community, labor and real estate market. IDOM Consulting Engineering Architecture will need to evaluate all these criteria and provide a list of further necessary research and work. The results of the study will allow prioritizing Lithuanian territories according to socio-economic factors.

“We need to select the most promising potential sites where the deep geological repository would have minimal impact on the neighboring community. IDOM will assess all sensitive factors related to the population and their well-being in accordance with the best global practices,” said Audrius Kamienas, Director General of Ignalina NPP.

The Spanish infrastructure company IDOM Consulting Engineering Architecture S.A.U. was founded in 1957 and is headquartered in Bilbao, Spain. The company has 3,800 employees and has been working in the fields of nuclear power development and radiation safety for several decades, with public safety as its primary goal.

The Ignalina NPP was finally shut down at the end of 2009. The INPP decommissioning works are expected to last until 2038. 

The activities are funded by the Norwegian Financial Mechanism under the project "Safety Enhancement of Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant Radioactive Waste management".

An associative photo by Erikas Ovčarenko (15min.lt) is used for the article