European Parliament decision paves the way for one of the most complex stages of the Ignalina NPP decommissioning – dismantling the reactor cores
Reactor core
In Strasbourg on 16 September, the European Parliament approved the European Commission’s proposal to allocate EUR 678 million in European Union funding to the nuclear decommissioning assistance programme of the Ignalina nuclear power plant (Ignalina NPP) in Lithuania (Ignalina programme) for the 2028–2034 period. This paves the way for a new stage of the megaproject, which will involve its most technologically demanding work to date, including the dismantling of the reactor cores.
The final decision on the funding programme for 2028–2034 will still have to be taken by the Council of the European Union.
According to Minister of Energy Lukas Savickas, the European Parliament’s decision is an important signal ensuring the continuity of one of the most complex projects being implemented in Lithuania.
‘I would like to thank the European Parliament for its consistent and principled position in efforts to ensure funding for the decommissioning of the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant. Lithuania is preparing for its most technologically demanding stage yet – dismantling this type of reactor, which is something that has never been done anywhere in the world. Long-term and reliable funding is therefore a prerequisite to ensure that this work is carried out safely and brought to completion. This is a shared commitment of Lithuania and the European Union, and the European Parliament’s support helps ensure that it is fulfilled,’ says Minister Savickas.
Member of the European Parliament and rapporteur for the Ignalina programme Virginijus Sinkevičius emphasises that continued European Union support is important for ensuring the consistent implementation of the project and the fulfilment of Lithuania’s commitments.
Achievements and work completed during the current funding period
The established seven-year funding periods make it possible to accurately assess the results achieved and ensure transparent project management. This planning helps maintain a steady pace of project implementation and provides the basis for the continued need for EU funding required for the most technologically demanding stage – the dismantling of the reactor cores.
The European Union has allocated EUR 552 million to the Ignalina programme for 2021–2027. Significant progress has been made during this period: dismantling of the technological channels in the first reactor unit has been completed, while work on the second unit has begun following the receipt of a permit from the State Nuclear Power Safety Inspectorate (VATESI). All spent nuclear fuel has been removed from both reactors and is being stored in a specialised storage facility.
Radioactive waste management is ongoing: a repository for very-low-level, short-lived waste has been built and is in operation, while construction has begun on a near-surface repository for low- and intermediate-level, short-lived waste. The Ignalina NPP decommissioning licence has also been obtained, and the programme for demolishing redundant structures is continuing.
Preparations for the most technologically demanding stage are currently ongoing, with the aim of signing a contract for the technical design, licencing and provision of the specialised equipment required to dismantle the reactor cores.
New stage – dismantling the reactor cores by 2034
The main objective for Altra over the 2028–2034 period is to begin dismantling the cores of both Ignalina NPP reactors. Before the actual dismantling work can begin, the technical design and licencing must be completed, specialised equipment must be prepared, and the necessary radioactive waste storage infrastructure must be established.
The estimated value of the procurement contract for dismantling the reactor cores alone is approximately EUR 400 million. It covers the entire project cycle, from design to radioactive waste management. The project will be implemented over approximately 16 years, so part of the funding requirement falls within the 2028–2034 period.
In addition to the reactor core project, this period is also expected to see the completion of the dismantling of technological equipment in the reactor buildings, the start of industrial operation of the near-surface repository for low- and intermediate-level, short-lived radioactive waste, the management of long-lived historical radioactive waste, and the demolition of the largest redundant auxiliary buildings.
According to Altra CEO Linas Baužys, the new funding period will mark a clear turning point in the megaproject as a whole – the focus will shift from the dismantling of large-scale technological equipment to the dismantling of the most technologically complex part of the plant.
‘We have very specific and measurable results to achieve by 2034. The most important milestone of the next stage is the start of dismantling the reactor cores. To achieve this, we need to design and licence the technological solutions, prepare and install the specialised equipment, establish the infrastructure for storing reactor waste, and only then begin the actual dismantling work. Continued funding means that we can maintain the pace of the megaproject and systematically reduce the radiological hazard left by nuclear activities,’ says Mr Baužys.
The Ministry of Energy is consistently working to ensure that the Ignalina NPP decommissioning process meets the highest nuclear safety standards and is implemented in a timely and transparent manner, with allocated funds used efficiently.