Significant milestone reached in the decommissioning of Maišiagala RWSF

On 17 November this year, the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant (the INPP) completed a significant milestone in the decommissioning project of the Maišiagala Radioactive Waste Storage Facility (RWF) - it has successfully carried out cold tests of the on-site radioactive waste management equipment and systems.

These tests are called "cold" tests because they do not involve the use of radioactive waste in all operations. The tests were conducted to verify the safe and compatible operation of all components and systems, and to demonstrate that the overall performance and characteristics of the site were in accordance with the intended design solutions.

The Minister of Energy, Dainius Kreivys, visited the site to see the progress of the project and the results of the tests. It is worth noting that this project is being closely monitored by the International Atomic Energy Agency, as well as other countries that are preparing to dismantle similar repositories. It is also worth mentioning that Lithuania will be the first country in the world to dismantle a repository in compliance with the highest international safety standards. According to Kreivys, a multi-layered structure has been erected on the site to support modern infrastructure, including temporary structures, engineering networks, communications, ventilation, radiation control, lighting, fire alarm, and other systems. It has been stated that the site will be returned to the public once all waste has been removed and it has been confirmed that no contaminated structures or soil remain.

"We are cleaning up a cynical Soviet legacy with the help of modern high-technology, and the project management itself is an example of effective cooperation between public authorities and contractors for a common goal. Today we can see how high-tech can safely manage historical radioactive waste and transport it to where it belongs - the INPP repository," said Linas Baužys, CEO of INPP, during the meeting.

According to Dr. Gintautas Klevinskas, the project manager of the Maišiagala RWSF decommissioning project, Lithuania has been utilizing advanced technology to safely decommission this type of repository, making it the first country in the world to accumulate unique knowledge that will be of particular importance to other countries planning to decommission this type of repository.

Speaking about the results of the "cold" tests, G. Klevinskas said that all systems and components, as well as technological processes, were successfully tested during the removal of the asphalt and the leveling concrete layer from the basement overlay of the Maišiagala RWSF. It was also demonstrated that the vehicles, containers and packaging (various types of containers, drums, big bags, etc., which are planned for the transport of radioactive waste from the Maišiagala RWSF to the Ignalina NPP repository) comply with the international and national requirements for the transport of such waste. The waste will be removed using modern robotic technology. The advanced containment systems, including ventilation, high-efficiency filtration, and monitoring equipment, will effectively ensure the safety of workers, the population, and the environment.

The Maišiagala RWSF stores radioactive waste that has historical origins from the use of radioactive materials and radioactive sources in medicine, industry, science and education. Radioactive waste repositories, such as 'Radon', were designed and built in former Warsaw Pact countries, including the USSR, Hungary, and the Czech Republic.

The Maišiagala RWSF, which was designed and commissioned in the 1970s, held around 114 m³ of radioactive waste. The last deposit of radioactive waste took place in early 1989, after which the repository was closed and sealed.  Recently, the Government of the Republic of Lithuania has decided to decommission the Maišiagala RWSF through immediate dismantling. Upon completion of the decommissioning works, all waste will be disposed of in accordance with established requirements at the INPP storage facilities.