Relevant Comment regarding the alleged incident

Considering the misleading information that appeared in public space regarding the alleged incident at the end of 2017, during which, according to published information, the background radiation level increased and trials in the Solid Waste Management and Storage Facilities (SWMSF, Project B2/3/4) using radioactive materials were stopped, and in order to avoid spread of the faulty information the SE Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant (Ignalina NPP, Enterprise) with all the responsibility states that no incidents dangerous to the public occurred and background radiation level did not increase during the hot trials, moreover, trials of other equipment are being carried out.

The main purpose of trials using radioactive materials is to inspect and determine the compliance work process, equipment operation and other implemented measures with the design solutions and safety requirements as well as to find out what needs to be improved so that there are no malfunctions during the industrial operation of storage facilities. State Nuclear Power Safety Inspectorate (VATESI) will issue a permit for commencement of industrial operation of the facility when all obligatory documents are updated and all non-compliances are eliminated in accordance with the results of hot trials.

During these hot trials non-compliances of two cranes used for radioactive waste retrieval from the existing “old” storage facilities with the technical design requirements were discovered, thereby Ignalina NPP has stopped radioactive waste retrieval operations until all previously mentioned non-compliances are eliminated and all corrective measures are implemented. Prepared and agreed with VATESI corrective action plan is now being implemented and radioactive waste retrieval operations will be continued in accordance with the hot trials programme as soon as VATESI agrees the results of these corrective measures implemented.

Other operations under the scope of hot trials programme are being carried-out in normal safe mode. It shall be stated that background radiation level did not increase, the dose limits of operating personnel were not exceeded and there were no identified releases of radioactive material into the environment.

Hot trials are carried out in strict compliance with a programme agreed by VATESI, and Ignalina NPP assumes full responsibility for the safety of all nuclear installations on the site.

It was revealed that radiation level of the small part of radioactive waste, accumulated at Ignalina INPP during operation, stored in the “old” storage facility was higher than radioactivity values assumed in the design and requires additional measures to ensure safe handling and management of such waste. These additional measures are being considered and discussed with the Contractor.

Project В2/3/4 contract provides for the financing of risks associated with possible deviations from the original data, consequently, the contract value shall not be subject to changes in this regard. Ignalina NPP makes all efforts to ensure timely implementation of all additional measures and commencement of industrial operation of B2/3/4 facility as schedule, i.e., in November 2018.

Ignalina NPP is open to the public and ensures the transparency of the activities carried out by disseminating and transmitting information important to safety as well as information about the potential danger not only to the responsible institutions but also to the general public, however, neither in 2017 nor now actual danger occurred and there is no reason to believe that this could happen. We could assure that information about any events or incidents related to the safety of the public, if there would be any, would be announced immediately.

This key decommissioning project is financially supported by the EBRD-managed Ignalina International Decommissioning Support Fund (IIDSF), consequently the European Commission and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development are informed about all activities performed by INPP both patently and in time.