Spreading good practice at a regional workshop in Moldova

On the 4th-7th of July this year, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Moldovan authorities organised a Regional Workshop on Planning for Decommissioning and Remediation of Old Storage and Disposal Sites in Chisinau, Republic of Moldova. The workshop was attended by 30 participants - experts in radioactive waste management from 15 countries. Experts from Hungary, Estonia and Lithuania delivered presentations to the participants. Viktor Ognerubov,  Head of the Radioactive Waste Disposal Unit at the Ignalina NPP , presented to the participants the experience of the Ignalina NPP in the removal and management of radioactive waste from storage facilities.

At the seminar, Gintautas Klevinskas, PhD, Project Manager of the Maišiagala Radioactive Waste Storage Facility Decommissioning (MRWSF) project, presented the history of the MRWSF installation and operation, shared his experience of the preparatory and licensing works carried out, planning aspects and challenges related to the safe disposal of radioactive waste at the MRWSF.

"I am pleased that Lithuania's experience and progress in planning the decommissioning of old RADON repositories has been welcomed," said Mr Klevinskas. Our country is well advanced - the decommissioning licence for the Maišiagala RWSF has been obtained from VATESI, the necessary construction permits have been issued, the necessary infrastructure for the removal of radioactive waste is being completed and containers for the transport of radioactive waste have been purchased. This experience is undoubtedly useful and can be used by other countries that have and are planning to decommission similar types of radioactive waste repositories."

It is envisaged that the radioactive waste from the MRWSF will be removed and transported to the Ignalina NPP radioactive waste storage facilities by the end of 2023. Meanwhile, the dismantling of the remaining temporary decommissioning structures and the rehabilitation of the site are planned to be completed by mid-2025.

Presentation "Implementation of Maišiagala Radioactive Waste Storage Facility Decommissioning Project" (Gintautas Klevisnkas,PhD)

More information about Maišiagala RWSF.